Tragic teenager Denise Murray named as pregnant teenage Swine Flu death victim

By Michael McLeod

THE young Scots mum-to-be who died from swine flu only a month away from having her first child was named today as Denise Murray.

Locals revealed the 17-year-old had been expecting her first son or daughter before she contracted the H1N1 virus which claimed her life on Wednesday.

Her unborn child tragically did not survive either despite frantic attempts by staff at Borders General Hospital to save them.

Bubbly

The tragedy stunned her tiny Borders hometown of Tweedbank as locals tried to take in the news that she had slipped away on a ward not even a mile from the family home which had been so looking forward to the new arrival.

Her parents, David and Sandra, and their five other children, did not appear to be at home as the tragedy swept the town.

She left behind five brothers; Matthew, seven, Gavin, 13, Greig, 18, Craig, 19, and Danny, 21.

But devastated neighbours spoke of the teenager’s “bubbly” personality and recalled how she stood out from the crowd with her lust for life.

Pregnant 17 year old Borders girl dies from Swine Flu virus

by Shaun Milne

PREGNANT women across Scotland were urged to get vaccinated against the swine flu virus last night after a 17-year-old mum-to-be became its latest victim.

In a statement issued just before 1pm, the Scottish Government confirmed that the teenage girl – who was identified only as being from the Borders area – had been suffering from the H1N1 virus and died within the past 24-hours.

No further details were issued officially, but it was understood a report had gone to the Procurator Fiscal charged with investigating all sudden deaths in the area.

She was the 15th person in Scotland to die from the virus. 

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon  broke off from the SNP’s annual gathering at Inverness to plead with all expectant women to seek help confirming that they are among those most at risk.

With the first supplies of the vaccine due to be issued later this month, she said they would be prioritised because of their conditions.

Paisley Man diagnosed with swine flu dies

BREAKING: By Oliver Farrimond

AN ELDERLY man diagnosed with swine flu has died after spending 15 days in intensive care.

The 73-year-old man, from the Inverclyde area, had serious underlying health problems and died at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley last night.

The man is the second person diagnosed as having influenza A (H1N1) to die in the UK, as the number of infected cases in Scotland nears the 1,000 mark.

Nicola Sturgeon, Health Secretary, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the patient at this tragic and very sad time.

“The family has asked for the patient’s identity to be kept private.