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Swine flu girl, 6, 'had suffered' Swine flu girl 'had tough life'
(about 2 hours later)
A six-year-old girl who died after contracting swine flu had "been through a lot" with other illnesses, her father has told an inquest.A six-year-old girl who died after contracting swine flu had "been through a lot" with other illnesses, her father has told an inquest.
Sameerah Ahmad died at Birmingham Children's Hospital on Friday evening after contracting the virus.Sameerah Ahmad died at Birmingham Children's Hospital on Friday evening after contracting the virus.
Her father, Imran Ahmad, attended the opening of the inquest at Birmingham Coroners' Court. Her father Imran Ahmad, of Edgbaston, attended the opening of the inquest at Birmingham Coroner's Court.
The hospital's Dr Gale Pearson told the court she had suffered from a condition which weakened her immune system. The hospital's Dr Gale Pearson told the court that Sameerah had a condition which weakened her immune system.
Her death is the third swine-flu related fatality in the UK.Her death is the third swine-flu related fatality in the UK.
There must be a lot of parents who are worried and are very aware of your grief Birmingham coroner Aiden CotterThere must be a lot of parents who are worried and are very aware of your grief Birmingham coroner Aiden Cotter
Aiden Cotter, Birmingham and Solihull's coroner, confirmed Sameerah had been infected with the H1N1 virus when she died and gave further details of other serious health problems. Aiden Cotter, Birmingham and Solihull's coroner, confirmed Sameerah had been infected with the H1N1 virus when she died and gave details of other serious health problems.
She was born with a rare genetic disorder affecting the small intestine called microvillus inclusion disease, the inquest heard.She was born with a rare genetic disorder affecting the small intestine called microvillus inclusion disease, the inquest heard.
Mr Cotter said a post-mortem examination into her death would be held on Tuesday, but said the results may take some time to become known. Mr Cotter said a post-mortem examination into Sameerah's death would be held on Tuesday, but said the results may take some time to become known.
The girl attended Mayfield School, a school for children with special needs in Lozells, Birmingham, which has been closed until Monday.The girl attended Mayfield School, a school for children with special needs in Lozells, Birmingham, which has been closed until Monday.
'The law' Mr Ahmad told the court his daughter had suffered during her lifetime.
Mr Ahmad, of Edgbaston, told the court his daughter had suffered during her lifetime.
Asked if he wanted a post-mortem examination to be carried out, he replied: "Obviously I do not, because she has been through a lot already in her life."Asked if he wanted a post-mortem examination to be carried out, he replied: "Obviously I do not, because she has been through a lot already in her life."
However, he said he accepted it, if it was "the law".However, he said he accepted it, if it was "the law".
Mr Cotter told him it was necessary to find out how his daughter had died, but was not strict law.
He said: "It may be that, when we have all the evidence in, we still won't know but it's important we try and find out."
Mr Cotter said he was releasing more information about Sameerah's death than was usual at the opening of an inquest.
'Wonderful and happy''Wonderful and happy'
"I think it's very important that the public have this information," he said. Mr Cotter told him a post-mortem examination was necessary to find out how his daughter had died, but was not strict law.
"It may be that, when we have all the evidence in, we still won't know but it's important we try and find out," the coroner said.
Mr Cotter said he was releasing more information about Sameerah's death than was usual at the opening of an inquest.
"I think it's very important that the public have this information.
"There must be a lot of parents who are worried and are very aware of your grief.""There must be a lot of parents who are worried and are very aware of your grief."
Mayfield School head teacher Paul Jenkins said pupils and staff were being offered support over the death of Sameerah.Mayfield School head teacher Paul Jenkins said pupils and staff were being offered support over the death of Sameerah.
"She was a wonderful, happy, child and her death is a great loss to the school community. She will be sadly missed by everyone here," he said. "She was a wonderful, happy, child and her death is a great loss to the school community. She will be sadly missed by everyone here."
The other two swine flu-related deaths were in Scotland. There have been 1,604 extra confirmed cases in England since Friday.The other two swine flu-related deaths were in Scotland. There have been 1,604 extra confirmed cases in England since Friday.