Pupil treated for suspected flu

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A Year Eight pupil at a school in Essex is being treated at home for suspected swine flu, after nine new confirmed cases took the UK total to 48.

The child is said to be recovering well on anti-viral drugs, which are also being given to other Year Eight pupils at Castle View School, Canvey Island.

NHS South East Essex said closure of the school was not thought necessary.

Two adults and six children in England were confirmed with the virus on Saturday, as well as a Greenock man.

Andrea Atherton, director of public health, NHS South East Essex, said the pupil was being tested after developing flu-like symptoms.

Unless you have flu-like symptoms and are being tested for swine flu, there is absolutely no need to stop your normal everyday activities Andrea AthertonDirector of public health, NHS South East Essex

Anti-viral drugs were being given to all other children in the year group, "whether symptomatic or not".

"Although there is only a very small risk of transmission to other pupils, we clearly want to do all we can to help stop the spread of the virus."

She added: "We would like to reassure parents and local residents that unless you have flu-like symptoms and are being tested for swine flu, there is absolutely no need to stop your normal everyday activities, such as going to work or school."

Close contact

Seven of the latest confirmed cases are in London, with one adult also found to have the virus in the East Midlands.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) confirmed that the seven were children from a London school which had already closed because several pupils had the illness.

The agency said the children were swabbed earlier this week and "may well have acquired their infection before their school's closure".

It added that anti-viral drugs had already been given to all children and staff as a precautionary measure.

The HPA said that the infected adult from the East Midlands was a close contact of a previously confirmed case.

A 19-year-old man from Greenock was being treated in hospital in Glasgow, the Scottish government said.

He started showing symptoms after coming into contact with someone who had travelled to Mexico. His condition was described as "not serious".

Early treatment

The Department of Health said all the infections in the UK so far were mild, and had been diagnosed and treated early.

The department spokeswoman said the government was not complacent and would prepare for the possibility of a global pandemic.

"The UK's arrangements are continuing to ensure that we are well-placed to deal with this new infection," she said.

Ms Sturgeon said a containment strategy in Scotland had been successful in preventing "large-scale" spread.

Earlier, officials in Wales said five people were under investigation for swine flu, but a further 74 had been given the all-clear.