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Scots Swine flu couple discharged Scots Swine flu couple discharged
(30 minutes later)
The first Britons confirmed to have caught swine flu have been discharged from hospital after recovering.The first Britons confirmed to have caught swine flu have been discharged from hospital after recovering.
Newly-wed couple Iain and Dawn Askham, from Polmont near Falkirk, were found to have the virus after returning from a trip to Mexico.Newly-wed couple Iain and Dawn Askham, from Polmont near Falkirk, were found to have the virus after returning from a trip to Mexico.
First Minister Alex Salmond told the Scottish Parliament there was now one "probable" case of swine flu in Glasgow and 27 suspected cases across Scotland.First Minister Alex Salmond told the Scottish Parliament there was now one "probable" case of swine flu in Glasgow and 27 suspected cases across Scotland.
The Askhams were being treated in Monklands Hospital.The Askhams were being treated in Monklands Hospital.
The first minister said a total of 41 people had now been tested and cleared for swine flu, which has been linked to about 160 deaths in Mexico.The first minister said a total of 41 people had now been tested and cleared for swine flu, which has been linked to about 160 deaths in Mexico.
Virus 'adapting'Virus 'adapting'
Meanwhile, a dedicated swine flu advice line for Scotland will go live on Thursday afternoon.Meanwhile, a dedicated swine flu advice line for Scotland will go live on Thursday afternoon.
There have been a total of five confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK and the UN's World Health Organization has raised the alert to level five, meaning a pandemic is considered "imminent". So far, there have been five confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK and the UN's World Health Organization has raised the alert to level five, meaning a pandemic is considered "imminent".
"That suggests the virus is becoming increasingly better adapted to person-to-person spread," said Mr Salmond. Mr Salmond said the person-to-person spread of swine flu had to be anticipated.
"It means countries are called on to activate their contingency plans. "What we have done, it seems, in our identified cases is effectively bought ourselves some time in terms of interrupting the spread of the virus," he said.
"Fortunately Scotland is very well prepared, not just because we've had a long-standing plan, but also because we activated that plan last weekend when we became aware of the possible cases in Scotland." "That is obviously very valuable because the more time you can buy, the less people are going to fall ill."
The first minister went on: "The reality now, however, from the World Health Organization is that we must anticipate - however good our measures are, however effective our countermeasures, and however much we try to interrupt the spread of this virus - there is a likelihood there will be cases - further cases, and person-to-person cases."
During first minister's questions, Mr Salmond said the last two tests of individuals who had been in close contact with the Askhams had come back negative for swine flu.During first minister's questions, Mr Salmond said the last two tests of individuals who had been in close contact with the Askhams had come back negative for swine flu.
But he said two new close contact cases had been identified, while one person was being re-testedBut he said two new close contact cases had been identified, while one person was being re-tested
In the last 24 hours, the first minister added, a further 19 travel-related possible cases had been identified in Scotland and 24 possible cases had been cleared following negative test results.In the last 24 hours, the first minister added, a further 19 travel-related possible cases had been identified in Scotland and 24 possible cases had been cleared following negative test results.
The probable case in Glasgow is travel related and not connected to the Askhams, Mr Salmond said. The Glasgow case is travel related and not connected to the Askhams, Mr Salmond said.
He explained a probable case was where someone tests positive for Type A flu, but not the full strain of the virus, which can only be confirmed through more detailed testing.
MSPs were also told that anti-viral drugs were being moved from central stockpiles to more local distribution points.
The flu advice line, which can be accessed through NHS 24, will give information about swine flu and what to do if people have concerns.The flu advice line, which can be accessed through NHS 24, will give information about swine flu and what to do if people have concerns.
Callers to the NHS 24 number - 08454 24 24 24 - will be given the option of being put straight through to a dedicated team dealing with swine flu.Callers to the NHS 24 number - 08454 24 24 24 - will be given the option of being put straight through to a dedicated team dealing with swine flu.