Two children with swine flu die
Two young children with swine flu have died in Northern Ireland.
The death of a 10-month-old baby boy was announced just hours after the authorities said a two-year-old boy with the virus had died.
The baby had underlying health problems.
It is not known if the two-year-old, who was from the Republic of Ireland, was also suffering from another condition as his family have asked for those details to remain private.
The death takes to 19 the confirmed number of people with the H1N1 virus who have died in Northern Ireland this flu season.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey expressed his sympathies to the family of the latest young victim, who was from Northern Ireland.
"This is tragic news and my thoughts and sympathies are with the family of this baby at this very sad and difficult time," he said.
The minister had earlier passed his condolences to the family of the two-year-old boy.
The fatalities will put further pressure on the authorities to re-think the policy decision not to vaccinate all under-fives against the virus, something which was done last year. Only infants in 'at-risk' health categories are being vaccinated.
But after the death of the two-year-old was announced, Mr McGimpsey said medical advisers remained of the opinion that the vaccination programme should not be extended.
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In Northern Ireland, a two-year-old boy has died after contracting the H1N1 virus. Hours later, it emerged that another boy, aged ten months, had also died after contracting the virus.

The second boy had underlying health difficulties. It is unknown if the first had other problems with his health. Since the start of the flu season in the United Kingdom, the total number of deaths in Northern Ireland as a result of contracting the H1N1 virus has now increased to 19. At least two of those 19 dead had other underlying health issues.

,  in Northern Ireland, expressed his sympathy. "This is tragic news and my thoughts and sympathies are with the family of this baby at this very sad and difficult time," he stated.

Following these incidents, Dr. Michael McBride, , is attempting to reassure the parents of children that are in good health. "We continue to offer vaccinations to any child under five in an at risk group as advised by the joint committee. The question has been posed if we should extend to healthy under-5s. I know the  is keeping this under close and active review and we will continue to be guided by their expert advice."

Michael McGimpsey pointed out that he acknowledges the anxiety that young childrens' parents may be experiencing. "I have recently spoken to other UK health ministers about Northern Ireland's current flu picture," he explained. "I have also spoken to Mary Harney, the Republic of Ireland's health minister. In addition, I have consulted with the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) about the particular circumstances here. They do not recommend extending the vaccination programme beyond the current at risk groups."