Teenager dies after catching flu as virus cases soar
● Number of Scots suffering flu-like illnesses more than doubles in week
A Scottish teenager has died after catching a flu virus that is sweeping the country. Bethany Walker, 18, from Applecross in Wester Ross was airlifted to hospital in Inverness but died of pneumonia.
Her death came at the end of a week in which the number of people suffering from flu-like illnesses in Scotland more than doubled.
According to the latest report from Health Protection Scotland, the number of people suffering is now four times higher than in the same week last year, leading to criticism yesterday of the Scottish Government’s handling of the NHS.
Health Protection Scotland said 107 people per 100,000 of the Scottish population were diagnosed in the week ending 7 January, up from 46 per 100,000 on the last week of 2017.
Bethany’s mother Heather Teale paid tribute to her “beautiful girl” on Facebook following her daughter’s death last Friday.
She wrote “She was given the best possible treatment from a team of eight people for over two hours, they tried everything possible but sadly despite their best efforts she didn’t make it.
“I am broken, the bottom has fallen out of my world. I have my mum with me, and my wonderful son who are both feeling the same loss as I am.
“Life will never be the same again. Bethany, I love you to the moon and back, I always have and I always will, you were the best daughter I could have ever wished for and I will always be the proudest Mum in the world.
“I have no more words. I’m truly devastated. Sleep tight my beautiful girl, your brother and I will love you forever, you will never be out of my thoughts as long as I live.”
The Applecross Inn paid its own tribute to her on its Facebook page.
It said: “Farewell to dear Bethany another fantastic member of our team who we sadly lost last Friday after a short illness, you were the ‘belle of the ball’ at Hogmanay… and indeed everywhere. Such a tragic
loss of someone so perfect in every way, so polite, such beauty, humour, fun, music and studies. You were pure pleasure as an employee… loved by every member of our team, so much devotion and dedication to all you did.”
A post from Bethany’s old school, Plockton High, said she had taken up a place at Aberdeen University to study midwifery.
The post said: “Bethany was a kind, caring, gifted and exceptionally conscientious student and a super role model for younger pupils both in the school itself and in the hostel where she resided during the week and where she was so well thought of by the staff. In S6, Bethany was appointed as our deputy head girl and conducted herself so well in carrying out her duties.
“It was a privilege for all of us to have taught Beth- any, to have known her and to have maintained contact with her after she left.”
The rise in cases of flu comes at a time when Scotland’s NHS is under scrutiny amid reports that hospitals are struggling to cope with the increased demand caused by winter illnesses.
Health secretary Shona Robison said: “These statistics confirm what we’ve been hearing up and down the country, that the complexity of treating flu, including appropriate diagnosis and segregation to avoid cross-contamination, is putting our health system under significant pressure.
“Emergency departments saw the highest level of attendances over the festive period
in a number of years – during the two-week festive period attendances were up 10 per cent compared to the previous year, with a 20 per cent rise in the week leading up to Christmas. Despite these challenges, over 82 per cent of patients were still seen within the fourhour target in Scotland’s core A&ES throughout December, compared to 77.3 per cent in England.
“Staff up and down the country are doing a remarkable job, and I am continuing to visit hospitals around the country to thank them personally for their hard work and dedication during this busy time.”
Scotland’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith encouraged people eligible for free vaccination – including the elderly, young children, mothers-to-be and health workers – to ensure they are protected from the disease.
He said: “While we’ve still got a couple of months of winter left, this week’s statistics provide further evidence that the vaccine is a good match against the current most common strains. I would encourage anyone in an eligible group to get vaccinated – it is the best defence against flu.
“The best way to stop the spread of flu is to follow simple hygiene practices. Wash your hands often with warm water and soap, use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze, and bin those tissues as quickly as possible.”