Father, 51, is killed by virus.

BAHRAIN'S third swine flu casualty died before doctors could even confirm he had the H1N1 virus.

Bangladeshi Mobarak Ahmed Abdur Rashid, aged 51, died in the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at around noon yesterday, about 12 hours after being admitted.

"He was suffering from very acute pneumonia and respiratory failure so he was admitted to the ICU immediately," said chief of medical staff Dr Mohammed Amin Al Awadhi.

"Treatment was given but he did not respond.

"We sent swab samples for tests, suspecting he had the H1N1 virus and those returned positive results after he died."

Mr Rashid, who worked as a salesman cum driver at a food and drink establishment in Boori, had been in Bahrain for 23 years, his son Moha-mmed Murad, 25, told the GDN.

"My father had been suffering from cold and cough with fever intermittently for the last five months, since he returned from a vacation to Bangladesh," he said. "However, whenever he received treatment, he got better so we were not much concerned.

"On Wednesday, at around 7pm, he had high fever again so we took him to Al Amal Hospital in Hamad Town, from where they said he had to be referred to the SMC."

Mr Murad said they finally reached the SMC at midnight, where his father was admitted to the ICU.

"They initially told us it was pneumonia he was suffering from, but later said they suspected swine flu," said Mohammed.

"We were also told he may recover but at noon today, we were told he had died."

Another son of Mr Rashid, who is 22, also stayed with him, as did two uncles.

"All five of us shared the same room in Boori," said Mr Murad.

"We have now been told to go to the hospital tomorrow to get medication as well."

Mr Rashid, who was from Chittagong district, also leaves behind his wife, a third son and a daughter in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, a 70-year-old Bahraini woman suffering from swine flu was said to be getting better in the BDF Hospital yesterday, after earlier being described as critically ill.

A BDF Hospital official said she could be discharged in the next few days.

Another Bahraini woman, 50, was still said to be in critical condition at the SMC, more than a week after being admitted to the ICU, said SMC sources.

They said a pregnant Bahraini swine flu victim, whose delivery had to be induced earlier this week at the SMC, was showing signs of improvement but her condition remained critical.

A Bahraini man, in his 40s was also admitted to the hospital early yesterday with acute respiratory failure, suspected to be a result of the H1N1 virus.

Doctors expect test results by today.

"He is critical and under treatment in Ward 207 (a new isolation ward)," said sources.

Two patients - a Filipino man and an Ethiopian woman - who were admitted to the ICU late on Wednesday night were also said to be critical.

"The results have now shown the Filipino man to be positive with the H1N1 virus while the Ethiopian woman has been diagnosed with tuberculosis," said sources.

Copyright 2009 Gulf Daily News

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