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UK flu transfer case results due UK flu transfer case results due
(about 1 hour later)
Tests are due to reveal whether a man has become the first person in the UK to contract swine flu without having visited Mexico.Tests are due to reveal whether a man has become the first person in the UK to contract swine flu without having visited Mexico.
NHS clerical worker Graeme Pacitti is expected to receive confirmation that he picked up the virus following contact with Iain and Dawn Askham.NHS clerical worker Graeme Pacitti is expected to receive confirmation that he picked up the virus following contact with Iain and Dawn Askham.
The newly-weds, of Polmont, near Falkirk, were the first of the UK's eight confirmed cases.The newly-weds, of Polmont, near Falkirk, were the first of the UK's eight confirmed cases.
They have spoken of how they feared they might die from the virus.They have spoken of how they feared they might die from the virus.
Mr Askham, of Polmont, near Falkirk, told the Daily Mail: "You try to stay calm but at the back of your mind there is the possibility that you might die." The World Health Organisation (WHO) says there are now more than 300 confirmed cases in 12 countries across three continents.
The couple believe they caught the virus on a flight back from Mexico. In Mexico, 168 deaths have been linked to swine flu and the government has confirmed 12 were attributable to the virus. Another person has died in the US.
Onward transmission The Askhams believe they caught the virus on a flight back from their honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico, during which other passengers were coughing and sneezing.
Mr Pacitti is a friend of Mr Askham and they play in the same six-a-side football team.Mr Pacitti is a friend of Mr Askham and they play in the same six-a-side football team.
He has been referred to as a "probable" case by Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.He has been referred to as a "probable" case by Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.
If confirmed, it would represent the first case of onward transmission of the virus within the UK. It has already happened in the US, Canada, Spain and GermanyIf confirmed, it would represent the first case of onward transmission of the virus within the UK. It has already happened in the US, Canada, Spain and Germany
Ms Sturgeon said: "Obviously the circumstances around this individual do give us cause for concern - the symptoms don't give us cause for concern, but the circumstances give us cause for concern." Ms Sturgeon said of Mr Pacitti's case: "The symptoms don't give us cause for concern, but the circumstances give us cause for concern."
Mr and Mrs Askham returned to their home on Thursday having been treated for five nights in separate isolation rooms at Monklands Hospital, Airdrie.Mr and Mrs Askham returned to their home on Thursday having been treated for five nights in separate isolation rooms at Monklands Hospital, Airdrie.
"It was particularly hard to bear, because I knew that Dawn was next door and that she wasn't well," Mr Askham told the Daily Mail. Mr Askham told the Daily Mail: "You try to stay calm but at the back of your mind there is the possibility that you might die."
"She was so close and yet I could not reach her. I just wanted to give her a cuddle and reassure her." He said knowing his wife was in the next room was "particularly hard to bear".
'Responding well' "She was so close and yet I could not reach her. I just wanted to give her a cuddle and reassure her," he said.
The couple said they believed they contracted the virus on their flight back from Cancun, during which several passengers were coughing and sneezing. Iain and Dawn Askham tested positive after their honeymoon in Mexico
The latest Britons to return from Mexico, about 300 people on a scheduled Thomas Cook flight, arrived at Gatwick on Friday morning.The latest Britons to return from Mexico, about 300 people on a scheduled Thomas Cook flight, arrived at Gatwick on Friday morning.
Passengers told the BBC no one's temperature was taken - which differed from the screening process in the Mexican resort of Cancun.Passengers told the BBC no one's temperature was taken - which differed from the screening process in the Mexican resort of Cancun.
However, government action plans for dealing with possible pandemics make clear there would be no screening at borders because it would not pick up people without symptoms who might develop them later.However, government action plans for dealing with possible pandemics make clear there would be no screening at borders because it would not pick up people without symptoms who might develop them later.
Of the eight cases confirmed in the UK so far, three are in London. There has been one each in Newcastle upon Tyne and Redditch, Worcestershire, and a 12-year-old girl has tested positive in Paignton, Devon. Of the eight UK cases confirmed so far, three are in London. There has been one each in Newcastle upon Tyne and Redditch, Worcestershire, and a 12-year-old girl has tested positive in Paignton, Devon.
Iain and Dawn Askham tested positive after their honeymoon in Mexico Responding well
All of those diagnosed are thought to have responded well to treatment.All of those diagnosed are thought to have responded well to treatment.
A total of 230 possible cases are being investigated in the UK.A total of 230 possible cases are being investigated in the UK.
Dr Alan McNally, senior lecturer and influenza diagnostics researcher at Nottingham Trent University, downplayed the significance of the suspected case linked to the Askhams.
"We know that [the flu] is transmitted from human to human, it has happened in other parts of the world and we know it will happen here.
"I know that there will be interest in it because members of the public will see that they don't need to have been to Mexico to get it."
Showing symptoms
Cases of swine flu have been confirmed in 12 countries across three continents.
CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES Mexico: 168 suspected deaths, 12 confirmedUS: one death, at least 109 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 4 confirmed, 12 probable casesCanada: 34 confirmed casesSpain: 13 confirmed casesUK: 8 confirmed casesGermany: 3 confirmed casesIsrael, Costa Rica: 2 confirmed cases eachNetherlands, Switzerland, Austria: 1 confirmed case each How the UK is trying to contain flu Mapping the outbreak Swine flu: Your experiences CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES Mexico: 168 suspected deaths, 12 confirmedUS: one death, at least 109 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 4 confirmed, 12 probable casesCanada: 34 confirmed casesSpain: 13 confirmed casesUK: 8 confirmed casesGermany: 3 confirmed casesIsrael, Costa Rica: 2 confirmed cases eachNetherlands, Switzerland, Austria: 1 confirmed case each How the UK is trying to contain flu Mapping the outbreak Swine flu: Your experiences
In cases outside Mexico, where 168 deaths are being linked to swine flu, the virus does not appear to be severe, although one death has been confirmed in the US. Dr Alan McNally, senior lecturer and influenza diagnostics researcher at Nottingham Trent University, downplayed the significance of Mr Pacitti's case.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set its pandemic alert level at five - but says it has no immediate plans to move to the highest level of six. "We know that [the flu] is transmitted from human to human, it has happened in other parts of the world and we know it will happen here."
A phase five alert means human-to-human transmission has occurred in at least two countries.. The WHO has set its pandemic alert level at five - but says it has no immediate plans to move to the highest level of six.
Prime Minster Gordon Brown said the UK was in a good position to cope with swine flu as he visited an NHS Direct centre in Beckenham, south-east London.Prime Minster Gordon Brown said the UK was in a good position to cope with swine flu as he visited an NHS Direct centre in Beckenham, south-east London.
He echoed the comments of the Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, who said the country was well prepared. Quick treatment
"What we will see is many, many more cases, and inevitably some serious cases - but on the whole people make a good recovery from flu," Sir Liam added. "There will be more cases, but at the same time it is treatable," he said.
"If we can get to people quickly, we can trace their contacts and if we can give those affected Tamiflu [anti-viral drug], then we can avoid the problems that we see in some of the other countries."
Gordon Brown: 'It is treatable'Gordon Brown: 'It is treatable'
It was impossible to predict how many deaths there could be in the UK until more was known about the strain of the swine flu virus, he said. Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, has said it is impossible to predict how many deaths there could be in the UK until more was known about the virus strain.
BBC News health correspondent Jane Hughes says the spread of the virus might not take off until the autumn and the winter when people's resistance is lower.BBC News health correspondent Jane Hughes says the spread of the virus might not take off until the autumn and the winter when people's resistance is lower.
Advertising campaign Some 28 suspected cases are being investigated in Scotland, along with 20 in Wales where another 16 possible cases have been ruled out.
Some 28 suspected cases are being investigated in Scotland. Six people in Northern Ireland have also been given anti-viral drugs as a precaution, but none have tested positive.
The Welsh Assembly government said 16 possible cases of swine flu had been ruled out. Another 20 patients, all with mild symptoms and travel links to Mexico or the US, were being investigated.
Six people in Northern Ireland have also been given anti-viral drugs as a precaution, but none of them has tested positive either.
On Thursday, health chiefs in the Irish Republic said one man had tested positive for swine flu - its first case.On Thursday, health chiefs in the Irish Republic said one man had tested positive for swine flu - its first case.
SWINE FLU ADVICE Use clean tissues when you cough or sneezeBin tissues after useWash hands with soap, hot water or gel NHS: Important Information About Swine Flu [118 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader hereSWINE FLU ADVICE Use clean tissues when you cough or sneezeBin tissues after useWash hands with soap, hot water or gel NHS: Important Information About Swine Flu [118 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here
Precautions being taken in the UK include enhanced airport checks, an expansion of anti-viral stocks from 35 million to 50 million by the end of May, the ordering of extra face masks and delivery of information leaflets for every family. Precautions being taken in the UK include an expansion of anti-viral stocks from 35 million to 50 million by the end of May, the ordering of extra face masks and delivery of information leaflets for every family.
Supplies of antibiotics are to be increased to deal with any complications arising as a result of flu infections.Supplies of antibiotics are to be increased to deal with any complications arising as a result of flu infections.
An advertising campaign to help prevent the spread of the virus has also been launched.An advertising campaign to help prevent the spread of the virus has also been launched.
The Department of Health's Catch it, Bin it, Kill it! adverts urge people to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, throw them away and wash their hands.The Department of Health's Catch it, Bin it, Kill it! adverts urge people to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, throw them away and wash their hands.
Meanwhile, the WHO has announced it will call the virus influenza A (H1N1), rather than swine flu, which it says is misleading as pork meat is safe and the virus is being transmitted from human to human.
Members of the public can call 0800 1513513 for recorded information about swine flu. In Scotland, anyone with concerns about the virus can call 08454 24 24 24.Members of the public can call 0800 1513513 for recorded information about swine flu. In Scotland, anyone with concerns about the virus can call 08454 24 24 24.
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An advertising campaign urges people to catch the sneeze before binning the tissueAn advertising campaign urges people to catch the sneeze before binning the tissue
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