LA link to swine flu death

A New Zealander who died in Canada last week was believed to have picked up the swine flu virus while in transit in Los Angeles, a family spokeswoman said.

Paul William Hartigan, 41, of New Plymouth, died on Thursday (Canadian time) after falling ill while there to support his stepdaughter at the WorldSkills event in Calgary for young tradespeople.

The family spokeswoman said last night that the cause of Mr Hartigan's death had been confirmed as pneumonia with complications from the H1N1 (swine flu) virus.

He travelled to Canada to support his stepdaughter, army steward Kirsty Lister, a member of the Tool Blacks team. His wife, Roslyn, has become unwell and is in quarantine.

Private Lister was initially quarantined after her stepfather's death but has shown no symptoms of illness so far. Her two brothers have flown over to support her and their mother.

Mr Hartigan developing flu symptoms when he arrived in Canada about a week before his death. He became sick the day after he arrived in Calgary on August 28. His family believe he caught the virus during an overnight stay in Los Angeles.

"He was a fit, healthy, strong man in training for the half marathon," the spokeswoman said. "We are all just in shock."

Private Lister, who is based at Linton army camp near Palmerston North, has withdrawn from the event to support her mother, but the rest of the 17-member team are continuing to compete.

Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Rob Krushka, said everyone at Linton was thinking of her. "She is a much-liked, highly respected, fantastic steward. We all extend our sympathies to her and her family."

The family was working with Canadian authorities to bring the body back to New Zealand.

Private Lister gained a gold medal at the WorldSkills NZ national finals in September. She has been in the defence force since June 2006 and has been training at the joint services catering school in Waiouru.

Canada has the third highest number of swine flu cases and deaths, after the US and Mexico. By Thursday, 72 people in Canada had died of the virus.

-with Taranaki Daily News

- © Fairfax NZ News