Six get swine flu all-clear but 11 more cases south of Border

Published on Sunday 24 May 2009 22:27

SIX people who were undergoing tests for swine flu in Scotland have been given the all-clear.

Health officials said there were now no probable cases of influenza A (H1N1) in Scotland, while the total number of confirmed cases remains at 13.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "It's very encouraging that the number of confirmed cases of the virus in Scotland remains small."

The latest development came as six more adults and five children were diagnosed with the virus in England.

The Health Protection Agency said the cases were confirmed in the East Midlands, London, the south-east and West Midlands. Four of the cases were returning travellers and seven were linked to previously confirmed cases.

Ms Sturgeon said the containment strategy in Scotland had so far been a success, and added: "The level of person-to-person transmission we have seen in Scotland so far has been very limited and the risk to the public remains low.

"However, it is important that we all continue to do everything possible to limit the spread of the virus with simple good hygiene measures."

&#149 A woman in her 50s is New York City's second confirmed death linked to swine flu, it emerged last night.

A spokeswoman for the city's department of health and mental hygiene said the woman, who has not been named, had underlying health conditions.