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Swine flu: NI boy in 'serious but stable' condition | |
(about 20 hours later) | |
A primary school child from east Belfast diagnosed with swine flu is said to be in a "serious but stable condition". | |
It's understood that the boy, who is six years old, became unwell at the weekend and was admitted to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. | |
On Monday, he was transferred to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill in Glasgow. | |
A hospital spokesperson said the family wish to make no further comment. | |
It is unclear whether the virus was picked up in Northern Ireland but the BBC understands the boy's family had previously travelled outside the country. | It is unclear whether the virus was picked up in Northern Ireland but the BBC understands the boy's family had previously travelled outside the country. |
Three years ago an outbreak of swine flu killed almost 30 people in Northern Ireland. | Three years ago an outbreak of swine flu killed almost 30 people in Northern Ireland. |
The majority of those who died had underlying health issues. Many more people were struck by the virus, but recovered. | The majority of those who died had underlying health issues. Many more people were struck by the virus, but recovered. |
Twenty people in Northern Ireland have currently been diagnosed with swine flu, according to the Public Health Agency. | Twenty people in Northern Ireland have currently been diagnosed with swine flu, according to the Public Health Agency. |
BBC Northern Ireland's health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly said: "H1N1, or swine flu, is now considered, and is being treated, like any other strain of the flu virus. | BBC Northern Ireland's health correspondent Marie-Louise Connolly said: "H1N1, or swine flu, is now considered, and is being treated, like any other strain of the flu virus. |
"Back in 2009, when we first heard of swine flu, it was a completely different scenario. | "Back in 2009, when we first heard of swine flu, it was a completely different scenario. |
"They didn't have a vaccine widely available to tackle the virus. Over the last five years all that has changed." | "They didn't have a vaccine widely available to tackle the virus. Over the last five years all that has changed." |
She pointed out that it was "not an epidemic". | She pointed out that it was "not an epidemic". |
"For that to be declared there has to be 52 people per 100,000 people affected," she said. | "For that to be declared there has to be 52 people per 100,000 people affected," she said. |
Our correspondent said in the case of the Belfast boy an important factor to consider would be if the child had any underlying health issues, such as asthma. | Our correspondent said in the case of the Belfast boy an important factor to consider would be if the child had any underlying health issues, such as asthma. |
The health trust said they did not comment on individual cases. | The health trust said they did not comment on individual cases. |