A woman has died of suspected swine flu.

The 35-year-old is the first person to be killed by the virus in Sussex this winter.

The woman, who has not been named, died at Eastbourne District General Hospital (DGH).

Health bosses refused to reveal exactly when she died, but it is believed to be in the past few days.

DGH staff yesterday referred calls about swine flu patients to the NHS South East Coast Strategic Health Authority (SHA) at Horley, near Gatwick.

An SHA spokeswoman said patient confidentiality prevented her from discussing any individual case.

She said: “The numbers involved are very low and to confirm a death would identify a particular individual.

“We are not in a position to talk about individual cases with the media because it would be a breach of patient confidentiality.”

The number of people critically ill with swine flu in the county's hospitals has trebled to at least 24 in the last two weeks.

Last winter the virus claimed the lives of three people in Sussex, including two otherwise healthy children, and led to hundreds being hospitalised The victims were a four-year-old girl from Brighton and nine-year-old Brittany Eastland from Three Bridges, Crawley.

A pensioner from Bognor, who had underlying health problems, also died after catching the virus.

The Argus revealed yesterday that health bosses are bracing themselves for an explosion of swine flu cases as schools and businesses return from the festive break.

Hundreds of people suffering from flu symptoms and breathing difficulties have already swamped hospitals and GP surgeries.

Those who suspect they have the virus are being urged to stay at home to prevent it from spreading.

Only those who develop complications or already have underlying health problems should see their doctor.

Those eligible for free vaccination include pregnant women, people with diabetes, chronic heart, lung, kidney, nervous system or liver disease and people with reduced immune systems as the result of treatment or illness.

More details are available at www.nhs.uk or by calling NHS Direct on 0845 4647.