on 14th July 2009
Chloe Buckley: She was not given Tamiflu after her doctor apparently misdiagnosed her illness as tonsillitis
Public fears have increased after yesterday's announcement that a healthy child and a GP with no known underlying problems have died from the virus.
The deaths of Chloe Buckley, six, and Dr Michael Day mean three people with no previous health problems have now died of the illness out of a total of 17 deaths across Britain.
Chloe's parents described her as their 'fun-loving baby girl' today as they spoke of their distress for the first time.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham said it was a 'tragedy' today but insisted people must not worry too much.
'There have been lots of children already having the condition but making a very quick and full recovery. We do have to keep it in perspective,' he said.
Britain was at the 'front of the queue' for the swine flu vaccine and the first should arrive here next month, the minister added.
'We could not be in a better position. So as soon as stocks are made, the very first vaccines will come to this country. We expect to get the first next month.'
Enough vaccine for the whole population has been ordered and half of all doses are expected to arrive by the end of the year.
A list has been drawn up of people who will get the first injections, including health workers and patients with conditions like diabetes and asthma.
Scientists fear a unique strain of the virus has already developed in London due to the sheer number of infections.
This could mutate into an even more virulent version which could prove more dangerous and faster-spreading.
However, experts are currently adamant swine flu is no more contagious than the normal seasonal flu and will prove mild for most who catch it.
The deaths of Chloe Buckley, six, and Dr Michael Day mean three people with no previous health problems have now died of the illness out of a total of 17 deaths across Britain.
Chloe's parents described her as their 'fun-loving baby girl' today as they spoke of their distress for the first time.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham said it was a 'tragedy' today but insisted people must not worry too much.
'There have been lots of children already having the condition but making a very quick and full recovery. We do have to keep it in perspective,' he said.
Britain was at the 'front of the queue' for the swine flu vaccine and the first should arrive here next month, the minister added.
'We could not be in a better position. So as soon as stocks are made, the very first vaccines will come to this country. We expect to get the first next month.'
Enough vaccine for the whole population has been ordered and half of all doses are expected to arrive by the end of the year.
A list has been drawn up of people who will get the first injections, including health workers and patients with conditions like diabetes and asthma.
Scientists fear a unique strain of the virus has already developed in London due to the sheer number of infections.
This could mutate into an even more virulent version which could prove more dangerous and faster-spreading.
However, experts are currently adamant swine flu is no more contagious than the normal seasonal flu and will prove mild for most who catch it.
Chris Spencer, director of education for Hillingdon Borough Council, speaks to reporters outside St Catherine's Catholic School which Chloe attended
'The vast majority of people will recover quickly by taking paracetamol or ibuprofen, and drinking plenty of fluids,' said Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA's GP committee.
'We must remember that every year there are deaths from complications of seasonal flu; this is unfortunately inevitable with any strain of influenza.'
But the reassurances are falling on increasingly deaf ears as the death toll continues to rise.
A NHS Direct source told London's Evening Standard: 'Every day for the last week, more than half of all calls to NHS Direct have been in relation to swine flu and that is a huge increase from the start.
'It is to do with the deaths. When you read something about someone dying, people have more pressing questions. But the number of referrals to GPs have stayed pretty much the same so it shows people are simply more worried rather than ill.'
People are now being urged to use 'other channels' to release some of the pressure on the service, a spokesman added.
Schoolgirl Chloe died within 48 hours of complaining of a sore throat and just a day before her seventh birthday.
She was not given the anti-viral drug Tamiflu but her parents today insisted she had been treated appropriately.
Michael and Jacinta Buckley said in a statement: 'We are obviously very distressed at the loss of our fun-loving baby girl. Nothing can replace her in our lives.'
They added: 'We are satisfied that the medical care Chloe received at all times was appropriate.
'We must remember that every year there are deaths from complications of seasonal flu; this is unfortunately inevitable with any strain of influenza.'
But the reassurances are falling on increasingly deaf ears as the death toll continues to rise.
A NHS Direct source told London's Evening Standard: 'Every day for the last week, more than half of all calls to NHS Direct have been in relation to swine flu and that is a huge increase from the start.
'It is to do with the deaths. When you read something about someone dying, people have more pressing questions. But the number of referrals to GPs have stayed pretty much the same so it shows people are simply more worried rather than ill.'
People are now being urged to use 'other channels' to release some of the pressure on the service, a spokesman added.
Schoolgirl Chloe died within 48 hours of complaining of a sore throat and just a day before her seventh birthday.
She was not given the anti-viral drug Tamiflu but her parents today insisted she had been treated appropriately.
Michael and Jacinta Buckley said in a statement: 'We are obviously very distressed at the loss of our fun-loving baby girl. Nothing can replace her in our lives.'
They added: 'We are satisfied that the medical care Chloe received at all times was appropriate.
It was also announced yesterday that Dr Day, a 64-year-old GP who had been treating swine flu victims, died after contracting the virus.
Both the little girl and the doctor are believed to have been perfectly healthy before succumbing to swine flu.
Both the little girl and the doctor are believed to have been perfectly healthy before succumbing to swine flu.
Dr Michael Day died at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital on Saturday
Further tests are being carried out today to pinpoint an exact cause of death for Chloe and Dr Day.
The six-year-old, from West Drayton, West London, became ill on Wednesday and died on Thursday night.
Dr Day, a GP from Dunstable, Bedfordshire, died on Saturday in the Luton and Dunstable Hospital. He is also understood to have been healthy.
'Doctors have always accepted that there are risks associated with their job,' Dr Buckman said. 'Obviously these are smaller than they used to be with the advent of modern medicine, but they can never be eliminated altogether.
'It is understandable that people will be worried when they hear that a GP has died but we urge them to follow the recommended advice and contact their family doctor, rather than physically going to the surgery if they have symptoms.
'While these individual deaths are tragedies for the families concerned, it is very important that members of the public do not panic.'
Last Friday, the NHS announced the first case of a healthy person to have died of swine flu. All other deaths involved patients with underlying health problems.
The man, from Essex, who has not been named, fought for nine days before losing his battle against the virus.
'Six-year-old Chloe was perfectly healthy'
Just a few days ago Chloe Buckley was excitedly preparing to celebrate her seventh birthday with her school friends.
Healthy and happy and from a loving family, the little girl didn't have a care in the world.
But within the space of 48 hours, she developed a severe sore throat, became desperately ill and then, tragically, became the latest victim to die of swine flu.
Chloe died on Thursday, just a day before what is believed would have been her seventh birthday.
...
Shock: Worried parents attend a meeting at Chloe's school and right, a flag flies at half mast in recognition of her sudden death last week
Tragedy: The letter sent to parents announcing Chloe's death
She is thought to have no underlying health issues. Her devout Roman Catholic parents, Jacinta, a child minder, and Michael, a plumber, have been left to try to make sense of what has happened along with her two older brothers, Shane, 12, and ten year-old Dillon.
The family lives in West Drayton, West London.
The speed at which the virus took hold and destroyed Chloe's immune system has left all those who knew her in shock - and fearful of who may be struck down next.
Chris Spencer, the director of Education and Children's Services at Hillingdon Council, said yesterday: 'It was an exceptional set of circumstances.
Chris Spencer, the director of Education and Children's Services at Hillingdon Council, said yesterday: 'It was an exceptional set of circumstances.
'This was a little girl who until a few days ago was perfectly healthy. Everybody here is in a state of shock.'
One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: 'She was always playing with my daughter who is nine. On Monday after school she was just running around. She said she was having a summer fete at her school, and gave us a leaflet.
'That was the last time we saw her. She was looking fine, handing out leaflets.
'She was always playing in the close, happy and smiling.
'She was a very healthy girl. We are really shocked. I was crying when I heard she had died.'
This time last week Chloe was fit and well having recently enjoyed her brother Shane's confirmation party.
But it was on Wednesday that nursery nurse Mrs Buckley, 37, decided to take her youngest child to the doctor after she developed a fever.
Presumably comforted with the diagnosis of tonsillitis, she took her daughter home and put her to bed to recover.
One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: 'She was always playing with my daughter who is nine. On Monday after school she was just running around. She said she was having a summer fete at her school, and gave us a leaflet.
'That was the last time we saw her. She was looking fine, handing out leaflets.
'She was always playing in the close, happy and smiling.
'She was a very healthy girl. We are really shocked. I was crying when I heard she had died.'
This time last week Chloe was fit and well having recently enjoyed her brother Shane's confirmation party.
But it was on Wednesday that nursery nurse Mrs Buckley, 37, decided to take her youngest child to the doctor after she developed a fever.
Presumably comforted with the diagnosis of tonsillitis, she took her daughter home and put her to bed to recover.
Chloe's family home in West Drayton, London, where she lived with her two brothers, mother and father
But by Thursday morning her condition had become so alarming that accompanied by Chloe's father Michael, 40, she took her to the nearby Hillingdon Hospital.
Chloe was transferred for emergency treatment to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington but died that night.
Yesterday a family friend was answering the door at the Buckleys' home. At St Catherine's Roman Catholic Primary School, where Chloe was a year two pupil, headmistress Sara Benn was battling to stem a rising sense of panic among parents and children.
The school, which has 240 pupils between the ages of three and 11, has been closed early for the summer holidays following the tragedy.
Miss Benn paid tribute to Chloe, saying the little girl was a 'bright and tenacious student with a keen interest in sports'.
'She will be missed by her fellow pupils and teachers at the school.'
She sent a letter to all parents at the school on Friday telling them of the death.
The letter carried a black and white photo of Chloe. But it did not mention that swine flu might be the cause.
Daphne May, 62, whose granddaughter attends the school, said there had been an air of panic at a meeting held for parents yesterday.
She said: 'People are very worried and upset. We should have been told something sooner. The school knew Chloe was very ill last week, we should have been told then.'
She added: 'It's so scary, we are very concerned, parents are obviously worried for their children.' - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news
Chloe was transferred for emergency treatment to St Mary's Hospital in Paddington but died that night.
Yesterday a family friend was answering the door at the Buckleys' home. At St Catherine's Roman Catholic Primary School, where Chloe was a year two pupil, headmistress Sara Benn was battling to stem a rising sense of panic among parents and children.
The school, which has 240 pupils between the ages of three and 11, has been closed early for the summer holidays following the tragedy.
Miss Benn paid tribute to Chloe, saying the little girl was a 'bright and tenacious student with a keen interest in sports'.
'She will be missed by her fellow pupils and teachers at the school.'
She sent a letter to all parents at the school on Friday telling them of the death.
The letter carried a black and white photo of Chloe. But it did not mention that swine flu might be the cause.
Daphne May, 62, whose granddaughter attends the school, said there had been an air of panic at a meeting held for parents yesterday.
She said: 'People are very worried and upset. We should have been told something sooner. The school knew Chloe was very ill last week, we should have been told then.'
She added: 'It's so scary, we are very concerned, parents are obviously worried for their children.' - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news
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