Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

Dubai student, 17, dies of flu-related complications

Grade 12 student’s death follows the death of another student in a Dubai school recently

Nine-year-old girl in Dubai dies of viral infection

Bacterial vs viral infections: How to differentiate?

Dubai: A 17-year-old student of a Dubai school died after flu-related complications at a hospital on Tuesday night, school sources told Gulf News.

The girl, Aliya Niyaz Ali, was a Grade 12 student of Indian High School and she attended the school until Monday, the sources said.

She was admitted to Rashid Hospital and passed away on Tuesday night.

Her funeral took place at Al Qouz cemetery on Wednesday morning and was attended by family members, friends and the school officials.

A comment from Rashid Hospital was not immediately available.

“Guys, with great sorrow and regret, we’re informing you about the death of a fellow batch mate from the girls section, supposedly caused due to flu,” stated a message circulated by the school’s student council.

Tuesday’s death follows the death of another student in a Dubai school recently. On October 29, a school in Dubai has asked parents not to send their children to school if they are sick, following the death of a nine-year old student.

Ameena Sharaf, a grade 4 student of Our Own Indian High School, died on October 29, due to an acute viral infection, possibly flu. She was first admitted to a private hospital in Bur Dubai on October 22 and shifted to the Al Jalila Children’s Hospital (AJCH) on October 24 as the infection had affected her heart. She was being treated for nausea, vomiting, fever and fatigue but the virus had affected her heart and she succumbed to her condition.

Nine-year-old girl in Dubai dies of viral infection

Schools issue health advisory to parents asking them to refrain from sending sick children to school

Dubai: A school in Dubai has asked parents not to send their children to school if they are sick, following the death of a nine-year old student.

Ameena Sharaf, a grade 4 student of Our Own Indian High School, died on October 29, due to an acute viral infection, possibly flu. She was first admitted to a leading hospital in Bur Dubai on October 22 and shifted to the Al Jalila Children’s Hospital (AJCH) on October 24 as the infection had affected her heart. She was being treated for nausea, vomiting, fever and fatigue but the virus had affected her heart and she succumbed to her condition.

GEMS Education issued a circular to parents, advising them not to take their children’s illness lightly. A spokesperson from the group told Gulf News: “We have issued a health advisory and advised parents not to send their children to the school if they are sick. We recommend them to consult the doctors and to take all necessary precautions. The wellness of our students is of paramount importance to us.”

AJCH issued a statement offering their condolences on the sad demise of their patient. It said: “Ameena initially showed symptoms of typical flu with fever, but later on was referred to Al Jalila Children’s on October 24 as a case of severe heart failure that might have been caused by a virus. We consider this a rare and unique case due to an abnormal response of the child’s immune system, that eventually caused her heart to become very weak and led to her very sad demise. Our sincere and wholehearted condolences go out to her family as we share their immense pain and loss. In general, we advise all parents to keep their children at home if they develop any fever, and subsequently consult with a paediatrician if the fever persists for more than 48 hours.”

Ameena is survived by three other siblings.

Meanwhile, parents of students studying in other schools also said they received circulars asking them to be vigilant, discouraging them on sending their children to school if they are sick, to stop the spread of any contagion.

GEMS education expressed deep regret at Ameena’s death. A statement by the GEMS spokesperson read: “We are saddened by the passing away of Miss Ameena Anoum Sharaf, a Grade 4 B student at Gems Our Own Indian School Dubai. Ameena passed away after an acute illness. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones in this unfortunate and trying time. Our counsellors are in touch with Ameena’s classmates and we will extend all support to them. Ameena was an extremely bright, talented and cheerful student, loved by her friends and teachers. We deeply mourn the loss.”