Mother dies after catching swine flu

A woman who contracted swine flu died less than three weeks after giving birth to her first child, a health authority has confirmed.

Susan Ford, 31, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, fell ill with the virus when she was 31 weeks pregnant. Her daughter, Poppy, was delivered by Caesarean section. Ms Ford's condition failed to improve and she died at the weekend, 18 days after giving birth.

Dr Ruth Hussey, the north-west regional director of public health said last night there was a risk that pregnant women who catch the virus could develop complications.