A POPULAR teenager has become the latest victim of the flu outbreak in Australia after being struck down with the killer illness a month ago.
Nathan Brown, 19, died in hospital on Friday morning following a four-week battle against the deadly https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4564163/flu-risk-brothers-sisters-siblings/" rel="nofollow - strain influenza A.
Nathan - who was in a medical coma - had been suffering complications including kidney failure, acute pneumonia, a staph infection and collapsed lungs.
Now devastated friends and family of the avid fisherman have taken to social media to express their sorrow at the news of his death, reports the http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4957085/fatal-flu-lake-macquarie-teen-loses-battle-with-influenza/" rel="nofollow - Newcastle Herald .
"We had some good memories back when we were young fellas, heart wrenching to hear you've passed away, rest in peace mate," one friend wrote.
Another pal added: "Life is so cruel. I'll treasure all the memories we've shared over the years Nath. Sending my condolences to the family in this hard time."
Nathan's uncle Peter Brown said the family had been praying by his hospital bed since he was struck down.
"It just goes to show that this flu can attack anybody," Mr Brown said earlier this week.
"It really can hit you no matter what age you are. If a very fit and healthy 19 year old can be struck down as badly as him… It has come as a big shock to everybody."
A https://www.gofundme.com/2mnzmg-support-for-nathan" rel="nofollow - Go Fund Me page was set up to support Nathan's family following his hospitalisation, raising more than £8,000 in just eight days.
Experts from the Influenza Specialist Group estimate that influenza's various strains can cause more than 18,000 hospitalisations each year in Australia.
There are fears the https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4540177/brutal-aussie-flu-heading-for-the-uk-could-be-the-worst-we-have-seen-in-50-years-experts-warn/" rel="nofollow - UK could be set for its worst flu outbreak in 50 years if the strain makes its way to Britain.
This year the Australian flu season is believed to have peaked mid-August, affecting an "unprecedented" number of people.
New South Wales recorded the highest number of flu cases with 288 flu related deaths, including three children, while in Victoria there were 95 flu related deaths.
Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4575027/australia-flu-outbreak-latest-victim/" rel="nofollow - https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4575027/australia-flu-outbreak-latest-victim/
Comment by Technophobe: It was the deaths of older teenagers and young adults which were the first signs of the exceptional deadliness of the 1916 spanish flu.