'Healthy' girl died of swine flu

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/sussex/8391458.stm

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A nine-year-old girl with no underlying health conditions died from pneumonia caused by swine flu, tests have revealed.

Brittany Eastland, from Three Bridges in West Sussex, died on 18 October at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill.

Health chiefs in West Sussex have now confirmed that the schoolgirl's death was linked to the H1N1 flu virus.

Her mother Sharon Boor said Brittany had been fit and healthy and urged people to take up the swine flu jab.

She said: "Brittany didn't have any underlying conditions and wasn't in an at risk group for swine flu.

She was the shining light in our life Sharon Boor

"People can't be complacent. Don't think being fit and healthy will protect you. My daughter was fit and healthy too."

She added: "Everyone should accept the swine flu vaccine if you are offered it. It doesn't just protect you, it protects your loved ones around you."

She said her daughter was a happy, kind and caring little girl who was greatly loved.

She said: "She was the shining light in our life and now that light has gone."

Claire Tiley, head teacher at Three Bridges Junior School in Crawley, said Brittany was gentle-natured and a model pupil who was trusted and respected by her peers and caring and considerate to the children in her class.

She added: "We will all miss her smile and friendly face. She will be sadly missed."

'Vaccinate children'

Peter Hayward, NHS West Sussex flu director, urged everyone to make sure they could recognise the symptoms of swine flu.

These include fever, tiredness, lack of appetite, coughing, sore throat, muscle and joint pain, headache and chills, and in some cases vomiting and diarrhoea.

People should contact their doctor in cases where a child had a serious underlying illness, or are aged under one, or had a worsening condition.

Mr Hayward added: "Hundreds of people in the priority groups have already been vaccinated, and soon we will start to vaccinate children under five years old.

"We would encourage everyone who is offered the vaccination to make sure you have it. It is the best line of defence."