A three-year-old Victorian boy with swine flu has died.
The boy is the first child with the disease to die and his death is being investigated by the coroner and the police, Victoria's Deputy Chief Health Officer, Dr Rosemary Lester said on Wednesday.
The family had asked her not to not to release any further details of the boy's medical history, Dr Lester said.
He is ninth person with the H1N1 Influenza 09 to die in Australia, with seven of the victims coming from Victoria.
Earlier on Wednesday, a 68-year-old man with cancer died in a Victorian hospital after contracting swine flu.
Dr Lester reiterated that swine flu is a mild illness from which many people recover without medical treatment, but it can be severe for those with chronic medical conditions.
"Our sympathies are with the family and we will respect their request," Dr Lester said.
People with respiratory disease (such as asthma), heart disease, diabetes, renal disease, obesity and immunosuppression and pregnant women, should see their doctor if they develop respiratory symptoms, so that they can be treated as soon as possible, Dr Lester said.
The majority of people experiencing flu-like symptoms were making a full recovery without medical treatment, she said.
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