The regional health department has announced that a 47 year old man has died from swine flu in the Spanish town of Alcoy.Once again the man has suffered from another underlying health condition which might have contributed to his death.
The health authority is also investigating the deaths of two children ,one a 6 year old from Torrevieja and the other an 8 year old from Carlet ( Valencia0 who both had swine flu .They are investigating whether these two boys also had other health problems which might have led to their deaths.It appears that 15% of children who are having time away from school at the moment are in fact suffering from the AINI virus.Some schools have suspended classes because so many children are away from school.It is still not known whether parents are being cautious or whether the children are suffering the viral infection.
People are being told not to go to their health centres if they think they have the infection but to call the helpline first to check out symptoms.Since July 57,000 people have contracted the infection in the Valencia region.So far 12,000 people have been vaccinated against the infection.Most people only suffer mild symptoms when the contract the virus.Just over 1% need hospital treatment.Schools have put their own hygiene protocols in place this term with adequate hand washing facilities plus education about good hygiene practices.
