Woman in Scotland Gets Swine Flu, Dies

"Scotland reports first 'swine flu' death outside Americas"
CNN (June 12, 2009)

"A person with swine flu died in Scotland on Sunday, the government announced, marking the first known death of a swine flu patient outside of the Americas, according to the latest World Health Organization information.

" Jacqueline Fleming, 38, had been "ill in hospital for a number of weeks," her family said in a statement Monday.

" 'Our whole family is absolutely devastated and we are doing everything we can to support Jacqueline's sons and her partner,' the statement said.

"She had 'underlying health conditions,' the Scottish government said, without elaborating.

" 'We are now waiting for the results of the death certificate to determine the cause of death,' the statement said.

"A total of 145 people had died from the H1N1 virus, as swine flu is officially known, as of Friday, according to the WHO...."

The article is a pretty good overview of what happened in the U.K. After the inconsistencies in reports on assistant principle Mitchell Weiner's "pre-existing medical conditions," I'm taking the Scottish Government's "underlying health conditions" statement with a grain of salt.

It's not that I think there's some vast conspiracy: but I do think that some officials are convinced that what they regard as the ignorant masses will panic if they aren't lied to. I don't think that's a good idea, but then I'm part of the ignorant masses.

Seriously: This is one death. Tragic as it is, influenza 2009 H1N1 still has a kill ratio that's about the same as any other strain of influenza. There really isn't any reason to panic. Take rational, common-sense precautions like washing your hands before eating: yes. Panic: no.

Think about it: Is it ever a good idea to panic?

More, at "SWINE FLU: NOVARTIS, VACCINE AVAILABLE BY FALL," AGI News On (June 12, 2009). List of posts relating to Swine flu 2009; and list of background resources:

• "Swine Flu 2009"
  • "Swine flu 2009 posts"
  • "Background and more information"
    Including links to
    • "1918 Influenza Timeline"
    • "The Influenza Pandemic of 1918"
  • "WHO Alert Phases"
  • " 'Public Health Emergency' - What's That Mean? "