HEALTH OFFICIALS faced criticism after a family learned that swine flu was implicated days after their disabled daughter had died.
Orla O’Kane (14), was taken ill last Sunday and was taken to Derry’s Altnagelvin Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey said the teenager’s family learned she had tested positive for swine flu only last Friday – two days after she was buried.
Mr Ramsey said the family was particularly distressed at the delay in hearing the news because a brother of Orla had now contracted the virus.
“I understand the Department of Health knew on Thursday – the parents should have been the first port of call to protect themselves and others around them,” he said.
“Clearly, the family would have handled the wake and funeral arrangements very differently if this had been confirmed in good time.”
The MLA for Foyle said he intended to raise the issue with Health Minister Michael McGimpsey after meeting officials to discuss the issue.
“Given the nature of swine flu, everyone appreciates the need for caution in diagnosis,” he said.
“But it is equally important to communicate quickly and efficiently with everyone who can play a part in reducing exposure to the virus, and I have to say that was not done in this case.”
Mr McGimpsey expressed his sympathy to the relatives of the girl, who it is understood had suffered from underlying health problems.
“I am saddened to hear of this further death and my thoughts are with the family at this very sad time for them,” he said.
“We should all now respect the privacy of this family and allow them to grieve in peace.” The teenager’s death was the fifth related to swine flu in Northern Ireland.
Earlier this month a 12-year-old boy died in the Ulster Hospital at Dundonald on the eastern outskirts of Belfast, less than 48 hours after it was announced that a toddler under the age of three died in the North.
A baby also died in September, but a pre-existing heart condition was determined as the cause of death. In August, the mother of two young children died. She had been fighting cancer for five years.
A soldier from Co Derry who was based in the south of England also contracted the virus and died in Surrey at the end of July. – (PA)