Nunavut swine flu victim was pregnant

The Nunavut woman who died from swine flu last Wednesday was pregnant, the territory's Department of Health reported Monday.

Pregnancy is one the underlying conditions that can cause complications for people with H1N1 influenza. It was Nunavut's first swine flu death.

Details of a patient's health are normally confidential, but chief medical officer of health Isaac Sobol released the information Monday morning.

Sobol said he checked first with the woman's family.

He said he wants people to know there can be complications with the H1N1 virus in people with underlying or chronic conditions.

Anybody who is pregnant, and thinks she is getting the flu should contact the health centre or a hospital immediately, Sobol said.

He said treatment is most effective if administered within the first 48 hours of symptoms appearing.