Swine flu: more cases in UK
Reported April 29, 2009
Three more cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Britain, Gordon Brown has told the Commons.
One of the three is a 12-year-old girl from Torbay. Her school has been temporarily closed and all other pupils offered anti-viral drugs.
The Prime Minister said the other two new cases were adults, one from Birmingham and one from London. All three had recently travelled to Mexico and are said to be responding well to treatment.
The first confirmed UK cases were newlyweds Iain and Dawn Askham from Polmont near Falkirk who are now recovering in a Lanarkshire hospital.
Another couple, who were in Cancun around the same time as the Askhams, have also become ill after returning from their honeymoon in Mexico.
Results of some of the swine flu tests being carried out on 23 people across Scotland are expected back later. Among those undergoing the tests are nine people who have been in close contact with Mr and Mrs Askham.
Another 14 people with travel links to Mexico or affected parts of the US have also shown mild symptoms of swine flu and are being tested.
It is unknown if any of these suspected cases are included in the latest confirmed figures.
Meanwhile, every household in Britain is to receive a leaflet giving advice on preventing the spread of swine flu.
The Department of Health confirmed it would be issuing the leaflets next week containing information about the virus and “preventative messages”.
Officials also confirmed they were in talks with a number of companies who produce surgical face masks. It is thought that the extra masks will be used by health workers.
A spokeswoman said: “Although we are aware that facemasks are being given out to the public in Mexico, the available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of facemasks by those who are not ill whilst going about their normal activities.”
She added: “We are urgently looking into how we can increase our current stockpiles of facemasks for healthcare workers who would come into close contact with symptomatic individuals during an influenza pandemic.”
Source : Independent Television News Limited
