Hamilton woman, 41 dies from flu

A Hamilton woman infected with the H1N1 influenza has died, this city’s first fatality from the spreading pandemic virus.

The woman, 41, passed away in hospital on Monday, and had what medical officials call “underlying health conditions.”

It is not yet known whether the swine flu was a factor in the death, said Dr. Chris Mackie, Hamilton’s associate medical officer of health. Mackie said the only details he has at this time about the course of the flu virus in the woman who died is that “it progressed quickly, that’s about all the information that I have.”

He added that in cases such as this, where a patient already has an existing illness, “death is not unexpected.” No details of the woman’s prior condition were released. Her name is also withheld.