27-year-old Vered Basson of Rishon L’Tzion was not in the high-risk category and did not have an underlying chronic illness, but became the latest fatality of swine flu.

Vered was hit with the flu about a week ago, and on Tuesday, she took a turn for the worse and was admitted to Assaf HaRofeh Hospital. She complained of dizziness, nausea, vomiting and exhibited difficult breathing.

Avichai, her husband, explained a HMO physician visited her at home and he immediately referred Vered to an emergency room. Tests were conducted, including a chest x-ray, EKG and blood tests, with doctors confirming pulmonary congestion, releasing her from the hospital. Avichai explained doctors stated she has regular flu, instructing him to return if her condition worsens. He was instructed to give her non-prescription medication for fever and cough.

By Friday Avichai realized her fever was not dropping and her condition was not improving. He made his way back to the emergency room. Doctors then diagnosed pulmonary complications resulting from the flu. She was however admitted to an internal medicine unit and not an ICU. Assaf HaRofeh officials pointed out that even at this time, there were no signs of swine flu, adding she was treated with Tamiflu and antibiotics. Hospital officials add she was placed on oxygen and intravenous therapy was initiated.

Her condition improved over shabbos, and nurses reported speaking with her on Sunday morning, attesting to the marked improvement in her condition. About two hours later, she was found lifeless, apparently following a major systemic collapse.

“I tried calling at 7:30am but she did not answer. About a half hour later, the hospital phoned instructing me to come immediately, only to learn my wife had died”.

Her body was sent for an autopsy to confirm the cause of death, with medical officials pointing out the victim was overweight and she was a smoker. Cause of death was listed as swine flu.

Family members are blaming the hospital, questioning the care given to Vered, who they insist was a healthy vibrant young woman. The family insists that if she was admitted to an ICU, monitors would have detected the sudden decline in her condition and she might be alive today.

Vered is being buried on Monday at 5:00pm in Carmiel.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)