Three-year-old boy dies from swine flu in Majorca

PALMA
A three-year-old boy became the fifth person to have died from the AH1N1 swine flu virus in the Balearics yesterday.
According to medical sources at Son Dureta Hospital where the child died, he had been suffering from a previous illness and the AH1N1 appears to have complicated his medical condition. Earlier this month, on December 8, the fourth victim died at Son Dureta.

The 25-year-old woman had also been suffering from other illnesses.
In November, a 69-year-old man considered to be in the high risk category because of his medical condition passed away at a private clinic.
On November 15, a two-year-boy died from complications caused by the virus at Son Llatzer Hospital while the first vicim, a 33-year-old woman, passed away at the same hospital on July 16.

The Balearic Minister for Health said yesterday that it has all the necessary swine flu response mechanism in operation and on full alert.
However, 96 percent of the cases currently being treated are “light” and do not need a complicated treatment.
The vast majority are resting and taking the necessary treatment in the comfort of their own homes.
The Ministry for Health did however issue another plea for people in the various high risk groups to have the vaccination.
Response to the anti-swine flu vaccine has been relatively slow.
For those in any doubts about which group they fall into, people are being advised to consult their local GP or medical centre.
The number of cases of swine flu per capita here in the Balearics is considerably lower to most other regions of Spain.