H1N1: First Asian Death in 49-year old Filipina

Asia had its first death from the A H1N1 flu on 19 June 2009, it was reported in the Philippines today.

49-year-old Filipina with heart and liver ailments died after contracting the new flu virus, in her home, two days after she first showed symptoms of the new influenza A(H1N1) virus, Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque told reporters.

“A throat swab revealed that she was positive for A(H1N1),” Duque said, adding that post-autopsy findings disclosed that the death was caused by congestive heart failure and “aggravated by severe pneumonia either bacterial, viral or both”.

The Philippines has the highest number of cases of the new H1N1 flu virus in Southeast Asia with 445 victims, but more than 80 per cent have fully recovered since the first case was reported on May 21, 2009.

Good updates on the H1N1 influenza clinical features and therapy can be reviewed from the Medical Journal of Australia:

• Swine flu update: bringing home the bacon

• ASID/TSANZ guidelines: treatment and prevention of H1N1 influenza 09 (human swine influenza) with antiviral agents
  

• Australia’s influenza containment plan and the swine flu epidemic in Victoria

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