Nursery hit as swine flu cases mount to 1,162

Published on Tuesday 30 June 2009 22:03

ANOTHER 44 people in Scotland have been diagnosed with swine flu, bringing the total to 1,162.

Children and staff at Croft Park Nursery, in Airdrie, are being offered antiviral drugs after coming into contact with a child with swine flu. The nursery has not been closed, the Scottish Government said.

The latest swine flu victims are in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire areas.

Scottish health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "The rise in the number of cases of H1N1 in Scotland is something that has always been anticipated, and corresponds with the pattern of spread that has been seen in other areas of the UK and other countries."

Meanwhile, parents were advised yesterday not to take their children to "swine flu parties". Although no firm evidence has emerged of such events, there have been discussions on the family website mumsnet.com over whether parents should ensure their children acquire immunity before the winter, when some people expect the virus to be more potent.

But British Medical Association expert Dr Richard Jarvis warned: "The flu will knock people off their feet, and we are seeing severe side-effects and sadly the occasional death."