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Three new swine flu cases in UK Three new swine flu cases in UK
(20 minutes later)
A 12-year-old girl is among five people in the UK who have contracted swine flu after visiting Mexico, the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has confirmed.A 12-year-old girl is among five people in the UK who have contracted swine flu after visiting Mexico, the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has confirmed.
Two adults - one from Birmingham and one from London - are also undergoing treatment, as are the two previously confirmed cases in Scotland.Two adults - one from Birmingham and one from London - are also undergoing treatment, as are the two previously confirmed cases in Scotland.
The girl's school, Paignton Community College in Devon, has shut and pupils will be offered anti-viral drugs.The girl's school, Paignton Community College in Devon, has shut and pupils will be offered anti-viral drugs.
Mr Brown said all those with the virus were responding well to treatment.Mr Brown said all those with the virus were responding well to treatment.
The number of swine flu cases globally is rising and the US has confirmed that the death of a 23-month-old child there is the first fatality outside Mexico.The number of swine flu cases globally is rising and the US has confirmed that the death of a 23-month-old child there is the first fatality outside Mexico.
Mr Brown revealed the latest UK cases at Prime Minister's Questions. All of those affected have travelled recently from Mexico, Mr Brown said.Mr Brown revealed the latest UK cases at Prime Minister's Questions. All of those affected have travelled recently from Mexico, Mr Brown said.
CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES Mexico: 159 suspected deaths - seven confirmed cases US: 1 death. 64 confirmed casesCanada: 13 confirmed casesUK: 5 confirmed casesSpain: 4 confirmed casesGermany, New Zealand: 3 confirmed casesIsrael: 2 confirmed casesAustria: 1 confirmed case In pictures: Swine flu spreads Life at centre of the outbreak Swine flu: Your experiences Mapping the outbreak
"All of them have mild symptoms. All of them are receiving and are responding well to the treatment that has been effective so far, the use of Tamiflu [anti-viral drug]," he said."All of them have mild symptoms. All of them are receiving and are responding well to the treatment that has been effective so far, the use of Tamiflu [anti-viral drug]," he said.
The UK was taking "the preparations that are necessary and the precautions to prevent the incidence of this disease in this country", the prime minister added.The UK was taking "the preparations that are necessary and the precautions to prevent the incidence of this disease in this country", the prime minister added.
This included enhanced airport checks, expanding anti-viral stocks from 35 million to 50 million, ordering extra face masks and printing an information leaflet for every family, he added.This included enhanced airport checks, expanding anti-viral stocks from 35 million to 50 million, ordering extra face masks and printing an information leaflet for every family, he added.
Delivery of public information leaflets is expected to begin within days, as part of planned measures to cope with potential pandemics.Delivery of public information leaflets is expected to begin within days, as part of planned measures to cope with potential pandemics.
In Scotland, the BBC understands that tests proved negative on seven people who had come into contact with a couple from Polmont, near Falkirk, who were the UK's first confirmed cases.In Scotland, the BBC understands that tests proved negative on seven people who had come into contact with a couple from Polmont, near Falkirk, who were the UK's first confirmed cases.
The results of tests on two more of the original contact group relating to Dawn and Iain Askham are still pending.The results of tests on two more of the original contact group relating to Dawn and Iain Askham are still pending.
The Conservatives have hit out at the government because a national pandemic flu helpline set out in the government plans is not expected to be operational before the autumn.The Conservatives have hit out at the government because a national pandemic flu helpline set out in the government plans is not expected to be operational before the autumn.
Shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien said the line would be crucial in giving people access to information and medication without having to visit GPs or hospitals. SYMPTOMS - WHAT TO DO Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary seasonal flu - fever, cough, sore throat, aches, chills and fatigueIf you have flu symptoms and recently visited affected areas of Mexico, seek medical adviceIf you suspect you are infected, stay at home and take advice by telephone initially, in order to minimise the risk of infection class="" href="/1/hi/health/8021958.stm">Q&A: What is swine flu? class="" href="/1/hi/health/8022102.stm">Swine flu: How serious a threat?
Leader David Cameron asked Mr Brown: "Given the importance of making sure information is made available to people, can you tell us what the Government is doing to speed that up?"
Mr Brown said interim arrangements for the flu line were being made and that it was not simply an information line.
"The circumstances in which it will be used are not yet reached and we hope they will not be reached, but arrangements have been made."
Mr Cameron said that without a flu line there was a danger that NHS Direct could be swamped" with calls".
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its alert status to level four - two levels from a full pandemic - after concluding there had been sustained transmission between humans.The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its alert status to level four - two levels from a full pandemic - after concluding there had been sustained transmission between humans.