Swine flu claims first child victim in Australia

Melbourne, July 1 (ANI): Swine flu has claimed its youngest victim in Australia.

A three-year-old Victorian boy has become the first child with the disease to die of the disease.

Victoria's Deputy Chief Health Officer, Dr Rosemary Lester, said that the coroner is yet to come out with a formal cause of death.

The boy's family has asked her not to release any further details of the boy's medical history, Dr Lester said.

He is ninth person with the H1N1 Influenza 09 to die in Australia, with seven of the victims coming from Victoria.

Earlier today, a 68-year-old man with cancer died in a Victorian hospital after contracting swine flu.

Dr Lester reiterated that swine flu is a mild illness from which many people recover without medical treatment, but can be severe for those with chronic medical conditions.

"Our sympathies are with the family and we will respect their request," Dr Lester said. (ANI)