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Swine flu closes third UK school Swine flu closes third UK school
(about 3 hours later)
A third UK school has shut after a girl aged 14 was diagnosed with swine flu.A third UK school has shut after a girl aged 14 was diagnosed with swine flu.
The pupil at South Hampstead High School, London, is the third British person to contract the virus without first travelling to Mexico or the US. The pupil at South Hampstead High School in London is the third British person to contract the virus without first travelling to Mexico or the US.
An 11-year-old girl from south-west London and a man from Ayrshire have also contracted swine flu, bringing the number of UK confirmed cases to 18.An 11-year-old girl from south-west London and a man from Ayrshire have also contracted swine flu, bringing the number of UK confirmed cases to 18.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the outbreak was less severe than first thought, but people should "play safe".Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the outbreak was less severe than first thought, but people should "play safe".
Contained and treated
Classrooms at South Hampstead High School, attended by the child from Barnet who is in year nine, have been closed until at least Thursday.Classrooms at South Hampstead High School, attended by the child from Barnet who is in year nine, have been closed until at least Thursday.
Antiviral drugs have been been offered to her year group and special arrangements were being made for upcoming exams.Antiviral drugs have been been offered to her year group and special arrangements were being made for upcoming exams.
It's still like seasonal flu - and seasonal flu does kill Dr John McCauleyVirologist UK couple stranded in flu scare Fourth Scots swine flu confirmed Swine flu 'in decline' in Mexico
In a letter posted to parents on its website, the independent school said the girl was "at home and well".In a letter posted to parents on its website, the independent school said the girl was "at home and well".
It's getting a bit repetitive now Eddie Sweeney, tourist in quarantine in China class="" href="/1/hi/uk/8031742.stm">'No hardship apart from boredom' South Hampstead is the third UK school to close since the outbreak, following Downend School in South Gloucestershire and Paignton Community and Sports College in Devon.
It is the third UK school to close since the outbreak, following Downend School in South Gloucestershire and Paignton Community and Sports College in Devon. However, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the school attended by the 11-year-old will remain open as the child "did not attend school while symptomatic".
However, the school attended by the other child will remain open, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said, as the 11-year-old "did not attend school while symptomatic". The Department of Health (DoH) said the child had recently returned from the US.
The Department of Health (DoH) said the child had recently returned from the United States. Tourist Eddie Sweeney has been confined to Hong Kong's Metropark hotel after a guest became ill
Health officials are trying to trace those on the same flight as a Scottish man diagnosed with swine flu on Sunday. Several Britons are still under quarantine in a Hong Kong hotel after a guest there became China's first confirmed case of swine flu.
The man, from Ayrshire - Scotland's fourth confirmed case - flew from Birmingham International to Glasgow Airport on Thursday. He is thought to have picked up the virus while in Texas, but the authorities said no other flights were affected. Eddie Sweeney and his wife Terry, from Buckinghamshire, checked into the Metropark Hotel on Thursday for two days but were told on Friday they and about 300 other guests would be confined to the building for a week.
Health Protection Scotland is asking all those on board flight BE7096 on 30 April to call NHS 24, although it stressed they were at a low risk of infection. Mr Sweeney told BBC News: "Effectively we're in our rooms, apart from going to collect meals. Some of us are using the stairs as a way of exercise. Otherwise we're confined.
"It's very frustrating. We were on our way home - I think it would probably have been worse if we were on our way out - but we do accept the fact that this is the way the Chinese do it.
"I have to say they've been very efficient, polite and helpful at all times."
Health officials have been trying to trace people on the same flight as a Scottish man diagnosed with swine flu on Sunday.
The man from Ayrshire - Scotland's fourth confirmed case - flew from Birmingham International to Glasgow Airport on Thursday.
He is thought to have picked up the virus while in Texas, but the authorities said no other flights were affected.
Health Protection Scotland said it had traced the "vast majority" of passengers who were in close contact with the man on flight BE7096 on 30 April.
The number of cases in London stands at six, while other cases have been confirmed in Newcastle, Oxfordshire, Devon, Merseyside, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Central Scotland.The number of cases in London stands at six, while other cases have been confirmed in Newcastle, Oxfordshire, Devon, Merseyside, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Central Scotland.
It's still like seasonal flu - and seasonal flu does kill Dr John McCauleyVirologist class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/8031475.stm">Fourth Scots swine flu confirmed class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8031761.stm">Swine flu 'in decline' in Mexico The six-year-old girl in Oxfordshire has made a full recovery, doctors have told the BBC.
Health chiefs are awaiting the results of more than 700 further tests.Health chiefs are awaiting the results of more than 700 further tests.
The UK has the second-highest number of swine flu cases in Europe, after 40 confirmed cases in Spain. Mr Benn told GMTV swine flu was so far "relatively mild and responds well to treatment here in the UK so far but we have got to remain vigilant".
Speaking on GMTV, Mr Benn said so far swine flu was "relatively mild and responds well to treatment here in the UK so far but we have got to remain vigilant". SWINE FLU ADVICE Use clean tissues when you cough or sneezeBin tissues after useWash hands with soap, hot water or gel class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/30_04_09_swineflu.pdf">NHS: Important Information About Swine Flu [118 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html">Download the reader here
He added: "We are still not absolutely sure what it is that we are dealing with."
Dr John McCauley, a virologist at the National Institute for Medical Research, said it was still important to prepare a good vaccine.Dr John McCauley, a virologist at the National Institute for Medical Research, said it was still important to prepare a good vaccine.
"It's certainly not a savage variety like the bird flu is," Dr McCauley said. "It's certainly not a savage variety like the bird flu is. But still, it's still like seasonal flu - and seasonal flu does kill," he said.
"But still, it's still like seasonal flu - and seasonal flu does kill."
Two previous cases had seen Britons falling ill without having travelled to Mexico.Two previous cases had seen Britons falling ill without having travelled to Mexico.
Barry Greatorex, 43, from South Gloucestershire, had been in contact with a traveller to the country.Barry Greatorex, 43, 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.
Information leaflets
Symptoms of swine flu in humans appear to be similar to those produced by standard, seasonal flu.
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
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 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.
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.
The only destination the government is telling travellers to avoid as a result of the outbreak is Mexico.
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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