The first person without underlying health problems has died after contracting swine flu.

The patient died at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Essex, NHS East of England said.

The patient's family has asked that no details of their relative be released.

In a statement the trust said it "would like to extend their deepest sympathies to the family affected as they come to terms with their loss".

On Thursday, the Government said 14 people had died in the UK after contracting the virus.

Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said the figure did not mean they all died as a direct result of swine flu but that they had the virus.

He added that there were 335 people in hospital in England with swine flu of which 43 were in critical care.

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