UK suffers first H1N1 flu death

Britain recorded its first death from H1N1 flu on Sunday after a patient suffering from the disease died in Scotland, health officials said.

Britain recorded its first death from H1N1 flu on Sunday after a patient suffering from the disease died in Scotland, health officials said.

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"We can confirm that one of the patients who had been in hospital, and had been confirmed as suffering from the H1N1 virus, has died today," the Scottish government said in a statement.

"The patient had underlying health conditions," the statement continued.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared an influenza pandemic on Thursday and advised governments to prepare for a long-term battle against the virus.

The Scottish government said no further details about the patient would be released until later to allow the family time to grieve.