LONDON (AFP) — A British woman who became the first patient with swine flu to die outside the Americas was killed by the virus, officials said Thursday, formally confirming the cause of death.
Jacqueline Fleming, who died in Scotland Sunday after being in hospital for weeks, was said by doctors to have had "underlying health conditions", the nature of which has not been clarified.
The Crown Office, which has investigative authority in Scotland, said it had been officially informed of the 38-year-old's death.
"With the agreement of her family, we are able to confirm that the cause of death has been certified as multi-organ failure due to influenzal pneumonia A(H1N1)," it said late Wednesday.
A baby daughter she gave to prematurely two weeks ago died on Monday, although not of the virus. Fleming had been ill for a number of weeks, according to her family, who said they were "absolutely devastated."
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