Spain announces first H1N1 death on European continent (2nd Roundup)

Jun 30, 2009, 10:12 GMT

Madrid - A young woman died of the H1N1 influenza Tuesday in Madrid, becoming the first victim of the disease known as swine flu on the European continent, the Spanish Health Ministry said.

Three people have died on the British Isles of the disease.

Two more serious cases were meanwhile announced in Spain, bringing the total to three.

The woman who died also suffered from asthma, officials said.

The woman of Moroccan origin, who had turned 20 shortly before her death, was 28 weeks pregnant. Doctors performed a cesarean section on her on Monday due to the seriousness of her condition.

The patient was suffering from breathing difficulties, and had caught pneumonia after becoming infected with H1N1. She had been in an intensive care unit at a Madrid hospital since June 15.

Health Minister Trinidad Jimenez said the patient died of a 'respiratory disease linked with H1N1.' Doctors had previously sent her home three times after she came to hospital because of high fever, the daily El Mundo reported.

It was unclear where the young woman, who was an accomplished athlete, had caught the disease. She had not travelled abroad recently, according to family members quoted by the daily.

Spain has 717 confirmed cases of swine flu. One among them, a 32-year old man, is in serious condition in Tarragona in the east.

Madrid health officials announced two more serious cases, a 8-year-old child and a 35-year-old woman.

In general terms, however, the virus was killing less people than the conventional flu, the ministry said.