A 34-year-old Eilat resident sought medical assistance on Friday, reporting he felt flu-type symptoms. Doctors at Yosef-Tal Hospital decided to admit the man, whose condition continued to deteriorate during shabbos. The man was niftar on motzei shabbos and health officials fear he may have become Israel’s first fatality resulting from swine flu.

Officials report the man was at “higher risk” as he was a heavy smoker and obese. An autopsy is being performed to determine if swine flu was indeed the cause of death. The hospital has also ordered an investigation into the care he received during his brief hospitalization after the family accused the doctors of not doing their job.

Hospital officials report the cause of death is unknown and they welcome the autopsy to see if it was swine flu. Five Israelis remain hospitalized in serious condition from swine flu.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)