A soldier has been revealed as the latest patient to die after getting swine flu.
Bombardier Lee Porter, from Coleraine in Northern Ireland, died last week, two weeks after contracting the bug - he had underlying health problems.
The 30-year-old member of the Royal Artillery is thought to be the first UK serviceman to have fallen victim to the bug.
According to the Sun, Bombardier Porter died on Friday at Frimley Park hospital in Surrey. That would make him the 28th person known to have died after getting swine flu in England.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "It is with great sadness that the MoD must confirm the death of Bombardier Lee Porter, who contracted Swine Flu two weeks ago, which complicated existing health problems. Our thoughts go out to his family, who were at his bedside at the time."
Bombardier Porter's family have thanked friends for the support they have shown and said in a brief statement issued through the Ministry of Defence in Northern Ireland that they wanted to be left alone to grieve "at this tragic time".
Friends paid tribute to him on social networking site Bebo.
Kelly Treacy wrote: "Lee, u were always so good to me and looked out for me like I was ur little sister. U were so kind to me and never let any1 give me any hassle, regardless of their rank."
Robert Deans added: "RIP, mate. You will be missed by all at 207 Bty. You were a great guy and full of life, Deansy." And Marky said: "RIP lee, i dont think words can describe just how much that u will b missed. a one in a million guy!"
Elsewhere, a British schoolgirl was on a life support machine in a Greek hospital. Natasha Newman, 16, from Highgate, north London, is being treated in Athens after falling ill on the island of Cephalonia. Doctors at the intensive care unit of Penteli Children's Hospital described her condition as serious but stable.
