Swine flu: pregnancy complications outlined

The risk of complications in pregnancy as a result of swine flu are being spelt out.

A number of women worried about the effects of the virus on their unborn baby, have contacted the Island's public health department.

It follows the death of a 38 year-old woman in Scotland who gave birth prematurely as a result of complications caused by swine flu.

Public health director Dr Parameswaran Kishore has issued new advice to pregnant women here: although severe influenza carries risks for pregnant women, cases are very rare.

He's stressed the need for good hygeine and to avoid close contact with anyone who has flu symptoms.

Dr Kishore says in the Scottish case, the patient had underlying medical problems: