Tweet
15 January 2011
Last updated at 13:11 ET
The Department of Health has confirmed that a two-year-old boy who was suffering from swine flu has died.
It is not yet known if the child, who was from the Irish Republic but was being treated in NI, had an underlying health condition.
The health minister has offered his condolences to the boy's family.
Eighteen people have died in NI after suffering from the H1N1 virus. Two of those have been confirmed to have had no underlying condition.
Anxiety
Vaccines against the virus are currently only available to people in certain at risk groups.
BBC NI health correspondent, Marie-Louise Connolly, said no reason had been provided about why the child was being treated in Northern Ireland.
"One explanation is that if the child lived in a border area close to Newry or Londonderry, for example, there may have been more intensive care beds available here," she said.
"The republic is coming under increasing pressure as the number of swine flu cases there doubled last week, while those admitted to intensive care units also increased."
The health minister, Michael McGimpsey, said he understood the news might heighten public anxiety particularly among parents of young children.
He added: "I have recently spoken to other UK health ministers about Northern Ireland's current flu picture. I have also spoken to Mary Harney, the Republic of Ireland's health minister.
"In addition, I have consulted with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) about the particular circumstances here.
"They do not recommend extending the vaccination programme beyond the current at risk groups."
Extend
The chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride also extended his sympathies to the family of the child.
He added that anyone in an at risk group who has not been vaccinated should take the opportunity as soon as possible.
"We continue to offer vaccinations to any child under five in an at risk group as advised by the joint committee.
"The question has been posed if we should extend to healthy under-5s.
"I know the JCVI is keeping this under close and active review and we will continue to be guided by their expert advice."
During the pandemic last year, 19 people died from the H1N1 virus, all but one of whom had an underlying condition.
The authorities were unable to establish whether the other victim, a pregnant woman, had an unknown underlying health problem which may have contributed to her death.
Webmaster Forum | SEO Forum | Coding Forum | Graphics Forum</b>
It is not yet known if the child, who was from the Irish Republic but was being treated in NI, had an underlying health condition.
The health minister has offered his condolences to the boy's family.
Eighteen people have died in NI after suffering from the H1N1 virus. Two of those have been confirmed to have had no underlying condition.
Anxiety
Vaccines against the virus are currently only available to people in certain at risk groups.
BBC NI health correspondent, Marie-Louise Connolly, said no reason had been provided about why the child was being treated in Northern Ireland.
"One explanation is that if the child lived in a border area close to Newry or Londonderry, for example, there may have been more intensive care beds available here," she said.
"The republic is coming under increasing pressure as the number of swine flu cases there doubled last week, while those admitted to intensive care units also increased."
The health minister, Michael McGimpsey, said he understood the news might heighten public anxiety particularly among parents of young children.
He added: "I have recently spoken to other UK health ministers about Northern Ireland's current flu picture. I have also spoken to Mary Harney, the Republic of Ireland's health minister.
"In addition, I have consulted with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) about the particular circumstances here.
"They do not recommend extending the vaccination programme beyond the current at risk groups."
Extend
The chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride also extended his sympathies to the family of the child.
He added that anyone in an at risk group who has not been vaccinated should take the opportunity as soon as possible.
"We continue to offer vaccinations to any child under five in an at risk group as advised by the joint committee.
"The question has been posed if we should extend to healthy under-5s.
"I know the JCVI is keeping this under close and active review and we will continue to be guided by their expert advice."
During the pandemic last year, 19 people died from the H1N1 virus, all but one of whom had an underlying condition.
The authorities were unable to establish whether the other victim, a pregnant woman, had an unknown underlying health problem which may have contributed to her death.
Webmaster Forum | SEO Forum | Coding Forum | Graphics Forum</b>