Died in childbirth, of swine flu

Julie Ellison -- from Manchester Evening News

A pregnant woman and her unborn baby have died in Preston, Lancashire, England, after she caught swine flu. The exact cause is unknown.

Julie Ellison was due to give birth on Christmas. About two weeks ago, she became ill with what was probably swine flu and went to Royal Preston hospital. Three days later she was so much worse, doctors decided to induce labour. The baby died during labour and Julie died a few hours later. Her life partner, Tom Howe, is shocked and devastated.

Choking back tears, Mr Howe - who also lost his father to cancer last month - said: 'It should have been the happiest day of my life. I don't know what to do, I am devastated. I can't put into words what this has done to me. I've lost everything. Why is life so cruel?'

Ms. Ellison also leaves an orphaned son twelve years old.

Medical authorities in the U.K. have three more cases of pregnant women extremely ill with swine flu, in Ayrshire. They emphasize how important it is for pregnant women to be vaccinated against it. Swine f lu led to 69 deaths in Scotland last year.