Two more swine flu deaths in the UK

Fears over the effects of swine flu have been raised after two more deaths brought the total to 17 in the UK.

A six-year-old girl and a GP both died after contracting the disease, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has confirmed today.

Chloe Buckley, from north-west London, died last Thursday at St Mary’s hospital in Paddington and has become the one of the youngest victims of swine flu in the UK.

Dr Michael Day, was a family doctor from Bedfordshire who died on Saturday at the Luton and Dunstable hospital.

The HPA will now conduct a post-mortem into both deaths to seek whether there were any underlying health problems in either of the cases.

Officials also confirmed that children between the ages of five and 14 are likely to be the most affected by the virus.

The two deaths follow the death of a patient in Essex, who was the first Brit to die of the H1N1 virus without any underlying health problems, raising the concerns swine flu could have across the country and worldwide.

Headteacher at Chloe’s school in West Drayton, Sara Benn, said: “It is impossible to put into words the sorrow that the whole school feels in such tragic circumstances.

“Chloe was a bright and tenacious student with a keen interest in sports. She will be missed by her fellow pupils and her teachers at the school.

“Our thoughts are with her parents and family at this time. We are working with the council and health authority to support parents and pupils dealing with this devastating news.”

Dr Simon Tanner, the NHS director of public health for London, said: “We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the family at this difficult time as they come to terms with their loss.”

Dr Paul Hassan, a senior partner of Dr Day’s at Priory Gardens, said: “Dr Day was a work colleague and also a personal friend to everyone at the practice.

“I know the news will also come as a great shock to our patients, many of whom have known him for many years. Our thoughts at this time are with his wife and family.”

The UK currently has the third-highest number of confirmed swine flu cases world wide, nearly 10,000. Mexico currently has 10,262 cases with the US recording at least 33,902 cases.