Commentary
Age and Origin of Canadian Train Fatality Raise Questions
Recombinomics Commentary 18:25
May 11, 2008
Brenda Buckley, a South Africa native, was 43 years old when she died Friday. Early reports said she was in her 60s. Later, she was an 86-year-old Australian.
An autopsy report indicated she died of natural causes.
Six other people also became ill with the common flu.
The above comments raise additional transparency concerns regarding the influenza cases on the train in Canada. The number of conflicting reports, including those on the age of the deceased patient, continues to grow.
It now appears that most of the suspect members of the tour group were influenza A positive, and comments about the origin of the group remains confused. Although media reports seem to indicate the group boarded the train in Jasper, Alberta, it remains unclear where the group had been prior to beginning their train ride in Canada. The train originated in Vancouver, and various media reports indicated the group was Australian and had previously traveled through Asia.
Media reports also indicated the rapid test for influenza A was negative, but now most suspect passengers appear to be influenza A positive.
More detail on the group and travel history would be useful.
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