Further tests on swine flu victims planned

Additional tests are set to be carried out on two people who died after becoming infected with swine flu to determine whether or not the virus was responsible for their deaths.

Dr Michael Day and six-year-old Chloe Buckley will be examined to see if they had any underlying health issues that could have contributed to their deaths, the BBC reports.

A total of 17 deaths related to swine flu have now taken place in the UK, although health secretary Andy Burnham has maintained that the country is well-prepared to protect frontline medical staff and also deal with the outbreak.

Chloe died after contracting the condition on Thursday, while Dr Day passed away on Saturday in Luton and Dunstable hospital.

Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the British Medical Association’s GPs Committee, told the news provider: “We must remember that every year there are deaths from complications of seasonal flu. This is unfortunately inevitable with any strain of influenza.”

Mr Burnham confirmed the UK formally moved from a “containment” situation to a “treatment” phase in recent days.