Swine flu man 'attended concert'

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The Scottish Government said it was aware that a swine flu sufferer attended a concert in Edinburgh days before he was treated for the virus.

Iain Askham, from Polmont near Falkirk, was, along with wife Dawn, the first UK case of swine flu to be identified.

He was among the crowd at the 1,500 capacity Picture House to see rock band Doves on 23 April, two days after he returned from his honeymoon in Mexico.

The Scottish Government said this would not be classed as "close contact".

Close contacts

Mr Askham returned from Cancun on Tuesday 21 April.

He attended the concert on the Thursday and visited a doctor about his flu symptoms on Saturday 25 April.

Mr Askham and his wife were taken to Monklands Hospital in North Lanarkshire, where swine flu was confirmed on Monday.

A spokesman said: "In line with Health Protection Scotland guidance, close contacts are followed up whenever any probable or confirmed cases are identified, to offer advice and where appropriate anti-virals.

"We are aware that Mr Askham did attend a concert on 23 April - before he was being treated - but this would not be classed as close contact.

"The risk of spread to others who were around him is low, and it is important to stress that the risk to public health in Scotland remains low."

There are now three confirmed cases of swine flu in Scotland, Mr Askham and his new wife and friend Graeme Pacitti, 24, who lives in nearby Falkirk.

A new probable case is being investigated in the Ayrshire and Arran Health Board area, with no connection to the three confirmed cases.

The man travelled from the US to Birmingham on Monday, and then onto Glasgow airport on Thursday, by which time he was showing symptoms of the virus.

There are also 19 possible cases in Scotland, people showing symptoms and undergoing tests.

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