The spouse of a New Zealand nurse who succumbed to ‘flu-like’ symptoms is now also in a critical condition.
Maria Packe-Leonard, 53, was known to be a healthy and lively woman before she developed influenza symptoms earlier this month.
Darrell Packe, Maria’s brother, mentioned that she started feeling unwell and had a persistent cough ten days prior to her death.
“[It] seemed to affect her lungs quite badly,” Darrell told Stuff.
Due to her condition, Maria went to the hospital on July 20 but was subsequently discharged.
Her health deteriorated rapidly, and she eventually stopped breathing. She was rushed to the hospital but, unfortunately, passed away on July 21.
The coroner’s investigation is still ongoing, but Maria’s family believes the likely cause of her death was influenza-A.
The family is facing immense hardship, as Maria’s husband John Leonard is now in critical condition in an induced coma at Wellington Hospital.
Darrell told Stuff that John had been experiencing flu-like symptoms and was hospitalized five days after his wife’s untimely death.
Discussing John’s condition, Darrell added: “He could hardly walk up the stairs at home and it was almost too much effort for him to talk,” Packe told Stuff.
“We took him to the doctor and got him some medication but the next day his son rang me and told me to get there fast.
“I suspect that, for John, the flu has been compounded by the grief. His immune system probably wasn’t as strong.”
Doctors have diagnosed John with a blood infection, which is now affecting his lungs and kidneys.
A family member has initiated a fundraiser to support the couple’s sons, Jed, 15, and 14-year-old Sam.
It states: “We recently lost our mum and now our dad’s in hospital fighting to be back with us. The community has been fantastic to us so far but the fridge and freezers are full. It would be really appreciated if we could get help with everyday costs.”
Darrell is now advising those with flu-like symptoms to see a healthcare provider and take their health seriously.
“Both of these people went and got checked prior to their illness escalating,” he added.
“I want to encourage people to recognise that it’s serious — this isn’t just a cold, so don’t tell yourself ‘I’ll be brave and push through.'”