Ninth swine flu case from travel

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8104122.stm

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A ninth case of swine flu in Northern Ireland has been confirmed by the health service.

Six more possible cases are under investigation, the Public Health Agency said.

The latest case relates to travel outside the UK and does not involve a school, workplace or other setting in Northern Ireland, the PHA added.

The sufferer has mild symptoms and is at home and taking antiviral treatment.

The patient has asked the authorities to ensure no identity details are revealed. Anyone who has been in close contact is being followed up by the agency.

Director for Public Health Dr Carolyn Harper said: "People should not be alarmed by this further case and we should expect to see more over the next few days and weeks.

"That has been the pattern in other countries and we are planning for a similar picture here.

"We have good systems in place, though, to respond to any cases that appear."

The PHA said the other eight cases in Northern Ireland have either recovered or were doing well.

The UK is now home to the highest number of confirmed cases in Europe.

The national total now stands at 1,461 patients since April 2009.

This number does not include clinically diagnosed cases in Scotland where the virus has spread particularly fast. These are yet to be confirmed.

Death

On Sunday a 38-year-old Glasgow woman became the first person in Europe to die after being diagnosed with the virus.

Jacqueline Fleming had underlying health problems since the premature birth of her son, who died a day after his mother at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

The baby did not have the Influenza A (HIN1) virus.

Last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) held an emergency meeting at which it declared a global flu pandemic, the first in 40 years.

A pandemic is declared on geographical terms as the virus spreads, but it does mean that it is causing more severe illness or a greater number of deaths.

The swine flu virus has now spread to 76 countries after it was first detected in Mexico in April. Young working age adults have been the most likely to contract the virus, with a third to a half of complications presenting in otherwise healthy people.

The government has been stockpiling antivirals like Tamiflu and has ordered vaccine. The first doses could be administered in October.

Anyone suffering from flu-like symptoms is advised to seek medical attention and stay at home.