Baby and toddler die after suffering from swine flu
The Public Health Agency has urged people to take sensible precautions to help prevent the spread of the virus
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Two young children with swine flu have died in Northern Ireland, health officials have confirmed.
The death of a 10-month-old baby boy, who had an underlying health condition, was announced just hours after it was revealed a two-year-old boy had died.
The boy, from the Irish Republic, was being treated in NI but it is not known if he had been treated for anything else as details have been kept private.
Eighteen people have already died in NI after suffering from the H1N1 virus.
Two of those have been confirmed to have had no underlying condition.
Anxiety heightened
Vaccines against the virus are currently only available to people in certain at risk groups.
BBC NI health correspondent, Marie-Louise Connolly, said no reason had been provided about why the two-year-old child was being treated in Northern Ireland.
"One explanation is that if the child lived in a border area close to Newry or Londonderry, for example, there may have been more intensive care beds available here," she said.
"The republic is coming under increasing pressure as the number of swine flu cases there doubled last week, while those admitted to intensive care units also increased."
The health minister, Michael McGimpsey, said he understood the news might heighten public anxiety particularly among parents of young children.
He added: "I have recently spoken to other UK health ministers about Northern Ireland's current flu picture. 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."
Extend vaccination
The chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride also extended his sympathies to the family of the child.
He added that anyone in an at risk group who has not been vaccinated should take the opportunity as soon as possible.
"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 JCVI is keeping this under close and active review and we will continue to be guided by their expert advice."
During the pandemic last year, 19 people died from the H1N1 virus, all but one of whom had an underlying condition.
The authorities were unable to establish whether the other victim, a pregnant woman, had an unknown underlying health problem which may have contributed to her death.
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."