Swine flu claims third victim in Australia

Victoria, June 24 (ANI): A 50-year-old woman with life-threatening cancer has become the third person to die from Swine Flu in Australia since the outbreak of the H1N1 virus.

"The woman died early today at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, where she has been a long-term patient receiving treatment for cancer," News.com.au quoted Victorian Health Minister Daniel Andrews, as saying.he woman was admitted to the hospital on last Saturday with respiratory illness, and her condition further deteriorated, requiring her to be moved to the intensive care ward on Sunday.

She had tested positive for Influenza A on Monday, and she was diagnosed positive for H1N1 Influenza 09 on Tuesday.

"Her family have been informed of the H1N1 diagnosis," Andrews said.

He also said that a second Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre patient with H1N1 was receiving appropriate care.

"The Victorian Government is working with health services to ensure they could meet the increased demand for services throughout the flu season," he added.

Earlier, a 35-year-old man from Victoria was posthumously diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, and the cause of death was believed to be a respiratory failure caused by the flu virus. He was the second swine flu victim in Australia. (ANI)