Madrid - A 19-year-old woman died of the H1N1 influenza Tuesday in Madrid, becoming the first victim of the disease known as swine flu on the European continent, the Spanish Health Ministry said. Three people have died on the British Isles of the disease.
The woman of Moroccan origin, who also suffered from asthma, was 28 weeks pregnant. Doctors performed a cesarean section on her on Monday due to the seriousness of her condition.
The patient was suffering from breathing difficulties, and had caught pneumonia after becoming infected with H1N1. She had been at an intensive care unit at a Madrid hospital since June 15.
The baby was doing well, the ministry said.
Spain has 717 cases of swine flu. One among them, a 32-year old man, is in serious condition.
In general terms, however, the virus was killing less people than the conventional flu, the ministry said.
