Child with swine flu dies in North

A young child with swine flu has died in the North, it was announced today.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey expressed his sympathy to the family of the child, who died yesterday and was confirmed as having the virus.

The exact cause of death is not yet known, he said.

It was the third death from swine flu in the North. A baby died last month but a pre-existing heart condition was determined as the cause of death.

In August the mother of two young children died. She had been fighting cancer for five years.

A soldier from Derry based in the south of England also contracted the virus and died in Surrey at the end of July.

Mr McGimpsey said he understood parents of young children would be worried by the news.

But he said he could assure them that advice had been given to GPs who may be contacted by parents whose children have been in contact with the latest victim.