NZ team upset by flu death

A New Zealand man has died from swine flu in Calgary, Canada. Photo / Greg Bowker

A New Zealand man who died from swine flu complications in Canada this week developed the disease before arriving, Alberta's chief medical officer said yesterday.

The man was in Calgary for WorldSkills 2009, an international competition for young tradespeople.

Chief medical officer Dr Andre Corriveau said the man had had minimal contact with others attending the event.

An Alberta newspaper, the Edmonton Journal, reported the man was the stepfather of a female competitor in the New Zealand team.

Peter Spencer, the chief executive of WorldSkills New Zealand, said the competitor was struggling with the sudden death.

"We're trying to help the family right now, trying to help them sort it out."

The victim, a middle-aged man, did not have flu-like symptoms when he arrived in Calgary on August 28.

He became sick the next day after coming into contact with the H1N1 flu virus on the plane or in New Zealand, Dr Corriveau said.

He went to a Calgary hospital emergency department on Wednesday and was immediately suspected as having flu and treated in isolation. He died on Thursday morning.

No indication was given by Canadian authorities of whether the man had pre-existing health issues that would make him more vulnerable to infection.

New Zealand team spokesman Peter Spencer said the competitor had withdrawn from the international skills event after the death but the rest of the 17-strong team would continue.

"We are from New Zealand. We don't give up," he said.

- NZPA