The family of the first British woman to die while suffering from swine flu said today they were “absolutely devastated”.
Jacqui Fleming (38) of Glasgow, died in hospital yesterday, two weeks after giving birth prematurely.
Her family said in a statement: “Our whole family is absolutely devastated and we are doing everything we can to support Jacqueline’s two sons and her partner.”
Ms Fleming, who had other underlying health problems, gave birth three months early at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, Renfrewshire, two weeks ago.
She lived with her two other children - one aged 18 and one of primary school age - and her long-term partner in the family home in Carnwadric, Glasgow.
It is understood the child, who was born at 29 weeks, does not have swine flu.
The mother, who was in intensive care at the Royal Alexandra, was one of 10 being treated in hospital in Scotland.
It is the first death to be reported outside the Americas, where at least 145 people have died from swine flu.
A school close to Ms Fleming’s home in Glasgow was partially closed last week after a child tested positive for swine flu.
Primary year five and six pupils at St Vincent Primary School were told to stay away for seven days as a precaution.
It is not known if the school closure is linked to the fatal case.
A total of 12 cases have been diagnosed in the Republic, largely in people who had travelled from the US.
Another 59 patients in England have been confirmed with swine flu, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said today. The UK total now stands at 1,320 cases.
PA