Swine flu case at special needs school

A case of swine flu has been confirmed at a special needs school in the Black Country.

The patient from the Brier School, in Bromley Lane, Kingswinford, is thought to be recovering at home and the school remains open. Dudley's cabinet member for education Councillor Liz Walker said a pupil at the Brier School had been taken ill and revealed there may be a second case at another school in the borough.

A ninth school in Birmingham has now closed after an outbreak of the virus. Lozells Primary is shut until Monday. Meanwhile the family of the UK's first swine flu victim to die was today reeling from a double tragedy after her premature baby son also died.

Jacqui Fleming, aged 38, of Glasgow, died in hospital on Sunday, two weeks after giving birth prematurely. Her baby, named Jack, died in hospital in Paisley last night, but not from the virus. A statement issued on behalf of Ms Fleming's partner, William McCann, said: "My beautiful son was born 11 weeks early. He suffered from a number of complications and despite his brave fight he passed away at the special care baby unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley.

"Coming so soon after the death of his mum, this is an extremely distressing and difficult time for our family and I would ask the media to respect our privacy as we try to cope with the loss of Jacqueline and Jack."

It is the first death to be reported outside the Americas where at least 145 people have died from swine fever.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls has offered his condolences to family and friends of the Scottish victim. "I'm sure the whole House will join me in sending condolences to the family and friends of Jacqueline Fleming," he said.

He made the gesture while updating MPs on schools closed as a result of swine flu. He said nine schools in England were currently closed, while 19 had reopened.