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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." |
Dr Iain Stephenson, senior lecturer in infectious diseases at the University of Leicester, said it was important not to over-react, but also be prepared. | |
He told the BBC: "It's quite possible that this will just slowly disappear and that will be the end of it. However, it is possible that this virus could adapt and change more rapidly." | |
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 |
Cases have been confirmed in Newcastle, Scotland, Merseyside, Devon, South 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 officials have revised down the number of suspected deaths from 176 to 101 - 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. |
In the UK, flu sufferer Graeme Pacitti had had contact with Iain Askham, who contracted the flu after honeymooning in Mexico with his new wife Dawn. | |
Mr Pacitti - who plays in the same six-a-side football team as Mr Askham - 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 | 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. |
Doctor Gabriel Scally, regional director of public health for south-west England, said the decision to close the schools was a necessary precaution. | |
He told the BBC: "We don't know enough yet about the epidemiology of the virus, but we've got to be precautionary and we've got to try to stop its spread. | |
"Viruses can move and change and re-emerge, and what we're trying to do is just get this virus interrupted, the transmission interrupted, in this country." | |
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. |
'Wait and see' | |
The only destination the government is telling travellers to avoid as a result of the outbreak is Mexico. | |
Simon Calder, travel editor for the Independent newspaper, said this meant several major operators had cancelled flights to Mexican destinations. | |
He said that for people with travel plans booked for the next week, operators were offering the option of changing destinations or giving refunds. | |
However he said holidaymakers with travel plans booked for the next three weeks, may only be offered a change in destination. | |
Those with plans booked any further in advance would have to "wait and see", and were currently not able to cancel or change destinations. | |
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. The number for NHS 24 in Scotland is 08454 24 24 24. | |
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