Fresh swine flu cases in UK found – but none are in Scotland

Published on Sunday 10 May 2009 23:15

SEVEN new cases of swine flu were been confirmed across the UK yesterday, taking the total to 55. None of the new cases were in Scotland.

The latest figures show there are still only five confirmed cases of the illness north of the Border, with three people in Ayrshire and Arran, Tayside and Lothian health board areas awaiting the results of tests.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "It is encouraging the vast majority of patients are still testing negative for the virus. We have no new confirmed or probable cases and only three possible cases under investigation.

"This shows that our containment strategy is … preventing any large-scale onward spread to the general population."

Meanwhile the number of swine flu-related deaths outside Mexico inched up to five yesterday with the United States reporting its third fatality and Costa Rica its first, both involving men who had underlying illnesses. The number of confirmed cases in the US has risen to 2,532 in 44 states.

The Department of Health confirmed seven new cases in England yesterday. The remaining five cases in the south-east comprise an adult and four children from London, thought to have contracted the infection at their school before its closure.

A 19-year-old man from Greenock tested positive for the flu on Saturday. He is thought to have got the H1N1 strain from his father, an off-shore worker in Mexico. His condition is not considered to be serious.

Meanwhile, it was also reported last night that a five-year-old Egyptian girl has contracted bird flu after coming into contact with infected birds.