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| UK waits on 600 swine flu tests | UK waits on 600 swine flu tests |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Health chiefs are awaiting the results of more than 600 tests for swine flu as the number of confirmed cases in the UK has reached 13. | Health chiefs are awaiting the results of more than 600 tests for swine flu as the number of confirmed cases in the UK has reached 13. |
| It comes after officials announced the first two cases of Britons falling ill without having travelled to Mexico. | It comes after officials announced the first two cases of Britons falling ill without having travelled to Mexico. |
| A 42-year-old man from South Gloucestershire had been in contact with a traveller to the country. | A 42-year-old man from South Gloucestershire had been in contact with a traveller to the country. |
| And Graeme Pacitti of Falkirk was infected through contact with the first British people to develop the flu. | And Graeme Pacitti of Falkirk was infected through contact with the first British people to develop the flu. |
| But the Health Protection Agency said the two cases did "not yet represent sustained human-to-human transmission". | But the Health Protection Agency said the two cases did "not yet represent sustained human-to-human transmission". |
| The risk to the general public is still very low, it added. | The risk to the general public is still very low, it added. |
| "All patients had contact with individuals who had reported illness and travel history to Mexico." | "All patients had contact with individuals who had reported illness and travel history to Mexico." |
| 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 here | 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 here |
| Further cases have been confirmed in Newcastle, Scotland, Merseyside, Devon, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and London. | Further cases have been confirmed in Newcastle, Scotland, Merseyside, Devon, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and London. |
| Symptoms of swine flu in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu. | Symptoms of swine flu in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu. |
| The HPA said all those in the UK who have contracted the disease appear to be suffering mild symptoms. | The HPA said all those in the UK who have contracted the disease appear to be suffering mild symptoms. |
| In cases outside Mexico - where the virus is now suspected in more than 160 deaths - the effects do not appear to be severe, although the death of a Mexican child has been confirmed in the US. | In cases outside Mexico - where the virus is now suspected in more than 160 deaths - the effects do not appear to be severe, although the death of a Mexican child has been confirmed in the US. |
| The World Health Organization, meanwhile, has set its pandemic alert level at five but says it has no immediate plans to move to the highest level of six. | The World Health Organization, meanwhile, has set its pandemic alert level at five but says it has no immediate plans to move to the highest level of six. |
| Mr Pacitti told the BBC he was really "disappointed" to find out he had contracted the illness. | Mr Pacitti told the BBC he was really "disappointed" to find out he had contracted the illness. |
| He plays in the same six-a-side football team as Iain Askham, who contracted the flu after honeymooning in Mexico with his new wife Dawn. | He plays in the same six-a-side football team as Iain Askham, who contracted the flu after honeymooning in Mexico with his new wife Dawn. |
| Mr Pacitti said he had been given the anti-viral drug Tamiflu as a precaution after meeting his friend in a pub. | Mr Pacitti said he had been given the anti-viral drug Tamiflu as a precaution after meeting his friend in a pub. |
| Among the other UK cases announced on Friday was a Mexican pilot, who has already returned home. | Among the other UK cases announced on Friday was a Mexican pilot, who has already returned home. |
| A schoolgirl, who is among those to have contracted the virus, is believed to be on same plane as the Askhams. | A schoolgirl, who is among those to have contracted the virus, is believed to be on same plane as the Askhams. |
| CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES Mexico: 101 suspected deaths, 16 confirmedUS: one death, at least 141 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 4 confirmed, 12 probable casesCanada: 35 confirmed casesSpain: 13 confirmed casesUK: 13 confirmed casesGermany: 4 confirmed casesFrance, Israel, Costa Rica: 2 confirmed cases eachThe Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, South Korea: 1 confirmed case each How the UK is trying to contain flu Mapping the outbreak Swine flu: Your experiences | |
| The girl's school - Downend, which is also in South Gloucestershire - will be closed until 11 May and parents have been told to contact their family doctor if any child shows symptoms. | The girl's school - Downend, which is also in South Gloucestershire - will be closed until 11 May and parents have been told to contact their family doctor if any child shows symptoms. |
| Officials said the two South Gloucestershire cases were not connected. | Officials said the two South Gloucestershire cases were not connected. |
| Another school in Paignton, Devon, also closed its doors this week after it was confirmed a 12-year-old girl had contracted swine flu. | Another school in Paignton, Devon, also closed its doors this week after it was confirmed a 12-year-old girl had contracted swine flu. |
| NHS Direct has taken thousands of calls about swine flu this week, while daily visits to its website have reached 85,000, compared with about 55,000 a week earlier. | NHS Direct has taken thousands of calls about swine flu this week, while daily visits to its website have reached 85,000, compared with about 55,000 a week earlier. |
| Information leaflets about how to reduce the chances of spreading infection are due to begin arriving in people's homes from next Tuesday. | Information leaflets about how to reduce the chances of spreading infection are due to begin arriving in people's homes from next Tuesday. |
| Prime Minster Gordon Brown, who was visiting an NHS Direct centre in Beckenham, south-east London, said the UK was in a good position to cope with the illness . | Prime Minster Gordon Brown, who was visiting an NHS Direct centre in Beckenham, south-east London, said the UK was in a good position to cope with the illness . |
| "There will be more cases, but at the same time it is treatable," he said. | "There will be more cases, but at the same time it is treatable," he said. |
| 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. |
| Are you or is someone you know affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Are you or is someone you know affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |