The first documented Swine Flu (AH1N1) related fatality in the Philippines came to a 49-year-old woman.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), the death was NOT directly attributed to the virus but to “congestive heart failure aggravated by severe pneumonia”. Details coming after one more click…

Here’s the full report from AP

The woman died from congestive heart failure aggravated by severe pneumonia and throat swabs collected after her death on Friday revealed she had influenza A (H1N1) as well, the health department said in a statement.

The woman’s case had gone undetected until a doctor visited her in her home when she was already in critical condition, the department said.

“Given the available information, we cannot conclude that the death is due to A (H1N1),” Health Secretary Francisco Duque said.

“But in other countries which have reported A (H1N1) deaths, majority have pre-existing, medical conditions.”

Authorities are now checking if the woman had travelled abroad or shared her living quarters with someone who had gone abroad.

Duque urged “high-risk groups” including those suffering from other diseases, pregnant women, the very young and the elderly and organ transplant recipients to immediately go see a doctor if they experience swine flu-type symptoms.

The Philippines has reported 445 cases of influenza A(H1N1) but most have since recovered.

Via Yahoo News