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A seven-year-old boy has died suddenly of a mystery illness, it has been revealed.
The Strood youngster – who has not been named officially – is thought to have passed away on Tuesday evening.
It was initially believed that the English Martyrs' Catholic Primary School pupil contracted swine flu but the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the “earliest indication is that he did not die as a result of the virus”.
Reports from the NHS Trust suggest the youngster may have been suffering other health problems and "was admitted with a range of complications unrelated to swine flu".
A remembrance Mass will be held in honour of the boy at the church adjoining the Strood school next week.
Medway Council said the school will remain open for the remainder of the term, closing as planned on Wednesday, July 22.
The council’s children and adult services director Rose Collinson held a press conference outside the council’s Chatham headquarters earlier today. (See video below)
She said: “Our first thoughts are with the boy, his family and all of his friends.
“We want to make sure his family have privacy to grieve.
“The HPA has said the earliest indications are that he did not die of swine flu.
“We simply do not know the cause of death and cannot speculate at this time.
“It is my understanding that he did not feel well at school on Tuesday and that he died quite suddenly.
“As soon as the school heard of his death the entire school community was informed.
“The school is open as normal, as is the advice from the HPA.
“The HPA’s investigation into the boy’s death is incomplete.”
Yvonne Doyle, Regional Director of Public Health, NHS South East Coast, said test results were pending.
She said: “We are aware of the case of a seven-year-old who died on Tuesday.
“The child was admitted to hospital. The cause of death has not been confirmed and we are awaiting test results.”
The youngster's death, if it is confirmed as swine flu, brings to 29 the total number of people who have died in the UK. He would be the second child.
Medway Council has already revealed it plans to open a centre specifically to distribute medication to swine flu victims.
The HPA and Medway Council have circulated letters title ‘Swine Flu and Schools’ giving advice for parents and pupils.
The Government has set up a swine flu information hotline to answer public questions on 0800 1 513 513.
Medway Council's children and adults services director Rose Collinson answers questions from the media:
POSTED: 17/07/2009 11:00:00