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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement regarding the death of a critical human swine influenza patient today (September 5)ĄG
A 73 year-old female patient with a history of Thalassaemia attended the Accident & Emergency Department of PMH for septic shock and flu symptoms on September 4 and was admitted to medical ward. Her condition deteriorated on the same day (September 4) and she was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit for treatment. She was prescribed Tamiflu and respiratory sample was taken for laboratory test on influenza. During hospitalization, the patient was under close monitoring. Her condition continued to deteriorate and she was certified dead at 9.19 pm on the same day.
The microbiology laboratory of PMH confirmed the positive result of human swine influenza at around 1.30 pm today (September 5) and reported the case to HA Head Office and Centre for Health Protection. The case has also been referred to Coroner.
The hospital would like to express our condolences to the patient's family.
Ends/Saturday, September 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:20
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