Wellington nurse dies with ‘flu-like’ symptoms, now husband admitted to ICU

A 53-year-old nurse experienced lasting flu-like symptoms before she died in hospital, while her husband is now critical in hospital with similar symptoms, their family have revealed.

Wellington nurse Maria Packe-Leonard was described as being otherwise fit, healthy and vibrant before she fell ill with influenza symptoms earlier this month.

Her brother, Darrell Packe, said the registered nurse began feeling sick and experienced lots of coughing about 10 days before she died.

“(It) seemed to affect her lungs quite badly,” he told Stuff.

Packe-Leonard took herself to hospital on July 20 but was later discharged.

Soon after, her family called emergency services when she “crashed” and stopped breathing, Packe said.

She was rushed back to Hutt Hospital where she died the following day, July 21.

Her family have been told it is likely Packe-Leonard had influenza-A but that is still being investigated by the coroner.

Now her husband, John, is critically ill in an induced coma at Wellington Hospital.

Packe said John also had the flu and was feeling run-down following the death of his wife, before going to hospital on July 26.

“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 said John has developed a blood infection which is affecting his lungs and kidneys.

Packe urged people with flu-like symptoms to not downplay any concerns about their health.

“Both of these people went and got checked prior to their illness escalating,” he said.

“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’.”

Packe has set up an online fundraiser to support the couple’s sons, 15-year-old Jed and 14-year-old Sam.

“They’ve navigated this terrible situation with a degree of maturity well beyond their years,” he said.

“We’ve tried not to protect them from the hard conversations. This is their story, too.”

Packe described his sister as a “bubbly” and “vivacious person” who would light up a room.

“She was so energetic, which I think adds to the shock of it all but is what made her such a good nurse,” Packe said.