# 3436
Generally I try to cover the `macro’ issues of pandemic influenza, and not the day-to-day news stories involving new cases, or even deaths, around the world.
This morning, however, I’m making a exception.
New Zealand, over night, has announced `3 probable’ swine flu deaths – all occurring over the past week. One is that of a 19 year-old man, Zachary Wilson, whose story I run below.
This report not only puts a face on this evolving tragedy, it also reminds us how quickly this virus can go from appearing mild – like a cold or the flu – to deadly.
While Zachary had a `pre-existing’ condition – asthma – he is but one of hundreds of millions of people around the world who have similar risk factors.
A hat tip to kiwibird on Flutrackers for this link.
Teen swine flu victim not diagnosed
A photo of 19 year old Zachary Wilson of Hamilton, who died last week after contacting swine flu. Credit:NZPA / Wayne Drought.
A Hamilton teenager with swine flu died at home without being diagnosed with the illness.
He was one three New Zealanders to have died in the past week with swine flu more than likely to have been the cause, the Ministry of Health confirmed today.
Zachary Wilson, 19, had been ill for three or four days but had not been to hospital before he died last Sunday, said Waikato District Health Board medical officer of health Dr Felicity Dumble.
"What's become apparent with this situation is how quickly this can develop, and somebody can present with what looks like a common cold that may progress to more like influenza and then it can rapidly become something very serious." Some efforts were made to treat Mr Wilson's symptoms, although no further details were made available.
Mr Wilson's family, who had been devastated by his death, wanted people to be aware how quickly someone's condition could deteriorate, Dr Dumble told reporters.
NZealand reports first 3 swine flu-linked deaths
7/4/2009, 12:10 a.m. EDT
The Associated Press
(AP) — WELLINGTON, New Zealand - New Zealand health officials confirmed the country's first three swine flu-related deaths Saturday-two discovered only after autopsies on the victims.
Chief Coroner, Judge Neil MacLean, said preliminary tests on two male victims indicated "a high degree of probability" that swine flu caused the deaths.
"(We) can't say 100 percent, but (the probability is) so high that it's unlikely that will change," he told reporters.
A 19-year-old man with the virus from the North Island city of Hamilton, who died on June 28 in a hospital, apparently had no other medical conditions.
MacLean said a 42-year-old man with swine flu from the southern city of Christchurch who died Thursday had underlying health problems.
Health officials are testing for swine flu during autopsies of people who died of unclear reasons.
The third victim, a 10-year-old girl who died Saturday in the capital, Wellington, tested positive for swine flu and also had other medical issues, health officials said.
