A Cobram flu victim who woke from a three-month coma unaware she’d given birth has been discharged from hospital in Melbourne.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A spokeswoman from The Alfred Hospital’s public affairs department confirmed on Tuesday that Sarah Hawthorn, 33, had been discharged from its facility.
The Border Mail understands the bubbly first-time mum, who contracted Influenza A in the later stages of pregnancy, is recovering at home and undergoing rehabilitation after spending months in intensive care.
Ms Hawthorn’s son was delivered five weeks premature during an emergency birth on August 28.
Her family said at the time that she was unaware she had given birth to "the most perfect little baby boy".
They also stated “Bomber Hawk” would not be named until his mum could announce it.
"Her son is fit and healthy," the family said in a statement released through the hospital in November after confirming Ms Hawthorn had woken from an induced coma.
"We've been overwhelmed by the generosity of the community, and all the kind wishes we have received."
The family thanked staff at The Alfred and the intensive care unit for their dedication to Ms Hawthorn.
"It has been a big journey for our family and at this stage, while Sarah is in recovery, we won't be making any further comment,” they said.
It is believed the Channel 9 current affairs program 60 Minutes has secured an exclusive interview with the family and they would be unlikely to comment until after the show aired.
A GoFundMe page to support Ms Hawthorn, her husband Rob and their infant son was set up in September and raised more than $30,000 in public donations.
Ms Hawthorn was an otherwise healthy and fit woman when she was struck down during what has been described as one of the worst flu seasons to hit Australia.
The infection claimed the lives of 10 residents at a Wangaratta retirement village, eight-year-old Melbourne girl Rosie Andersen and Bacchus Marsh father Ben Ihlow.
Earlier this week the British press have warned against the “Killer Aussie Flu” as cases spike across the United Kingdom.
Influenza A(H3N2) caused the highest number of infections and deaths in Australia during the 2017 winter since the swine flu pandemic in 2009.
