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Three new swine flu cases in UK Three new swine flu cases in UK
(10 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 Redditch, Worcs and one from London - are also undergoing treatment, as are the two previously confirmed cases in Scotland. Two adults - one from Redditch, Worcs and one from south 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.
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 outbreakCONFIRMED & 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
Mr Brown revealed the latest UK cases at Prime Minister's Questions. All of those affected have travelled recently from Mexico, he said.Mr Brown revealed the latest UK cases at Prime Minister's Questions. All of those affected have travelled recently from Mexico, 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."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.
At a press conference, Health Secretary Alan Johnson said that the 12-year-old in Devon had been on the same flight from Mexico as the Askhams.At a press conference, Health Secretary Alan Johnson said that the 12-year-old in Devon had been on the same flight from Mexico as the Askhams.
He added that all UK cases of swine flu so far were linked directly to Mexico and said the government would increase stockpiles of anti-viral drugs to provide for 50 million people. He added that the confirmed adult cases involved a 41-year-old woman from Redditch, Worcs, and a 22-year-old man from south London.
Mr Johnson said that all UK cases of swine flu so far were linked directly to Mexico and said the government would increase stockpiles of anti-viral drugs to provide for 50 million people.
Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, said masks had been ordered for NHS staff - but warned that they had "very little value" to members of the public and gave a "false sense of security".Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, said masks had been ordered for NHS staff - but warned that they had "very little value" to members of the public and gave a "false sense of security".
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.
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?"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.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.""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".Mr Cameron said that without a flu line there was a danger that NHS Direct could be swamped" with calls".
Eight suspected cases are under investigation in Wales - all linked to travel in Mexico - while none have yet been reported in Northern Ireland.Eight suspected cases are under investigation in Wales - all linked to travel in Mexico - while none have yet been reported in Northern Ireland.
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 Q&A: What is swine flu? Swine flu: How serious a threat?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 Q&A: What is swine flu? Swine flu: How serious a threat?
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it was not releasing details about any suspected cases in England until swine flu was confirmed.The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it was not releasing details about any suspected cases in England until swine flu was confirmed.
The Department of Health has said leaflets about the swine flu outbreak and how to prevent its spread will be delivered to every UK household.The Department of Health has said leaflets about the swine flu outbreak and how to prevent its spread will be delivered to every UK household.
Health officials in the West Midlands said the infected woman in Redditch was being treated at home with anti-viral medication, and was responding well to treatment.Health officials in the West Midlands said the infected woman in Redditch was being treated at home with anti-viral medication, and was responding well to treatment.
Dr Derek Ward of the HPA in the West Midlands said they hoped they had contained the virus.Dr Derek Ward of the HPA in the West Midlands said they hoped they had contained the virus.
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.