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UK waits on 600 swine flu tests UK waits on 600 swine flu tests
(about 1 hour 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 43-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.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."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 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
Cases have been confirmed in Newcastle, Scotland, Merseyside, Devon, South Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and London.Cases have been confirmed in Newcastle, Scotland, Merseyside, Devon, South Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and London.
The South Gloucestershire man, who was the 13th person to have been confirmed as having swine flu, said he believes he contracted it while in a meeting with a colleague who was "coughing and spluttering".
Barry Greatorex, who has been quarantined and given treatment, told the BBC: "I knew it wasn't just an ordinary cold or an ordinary flu. We're dealing with it as a family. We're quite close as a family so we're sticking together through it."
Mr Greatorex said neither his wife nor son had so far shown any signs of the illness.
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. In cases outside Mexico - where officials have revised 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. A schoolgirl, who is among those to have contracted the virus, is believed to have been on the same plane as the first two Britons to be diagnosed with the disease.
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.
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. Dr 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.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. 'Wait and see'
He said that for people with travel plans booked for the next week, operators were offering the option of changing destinations or giving refunds. Simon Calder, travel editor for the Independent newspaper, said several major operators had cancelled flights to Mexico.
However he said holidaymakers with travel plans booked for the next three weeks, may only be offered a change in destination. He said operators were giving people planning to travel over the next week the option of changing destinations or a refund.
Those with plans booked any further in advance would have to "wait and see", and were currently not able to cancel or change destinations. However holidaymakers with travel plans for the next three weeks, may only be offered a change in destination.
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. Those with plans any further in advance would have to "wait and see", and were currently unable to cancel or change destinations.
"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.• 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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