Toddler diagnosed with swine flu in Dumfriesshire

A toddler was admitted to hospital in Dumfries and Galloway suffering from an illness that been confirmed as swine flu.

Director of public health for NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Dr David Cox, said they were dealing with a second case of H1N1 after an 18-month old boy was diagnosed with the symptoms of the virus.

A woman from Sanquhar remains critical but stable in hospital in Leicester after contracting swine flu.

The pregnant woman underwent an emergency caesarean before being transferred by helicopter from Dumfries Infirmary last week.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway is appealing for anyone in the risk group to be vaccinated as soon as possible because of fears of further cases of the H1N1 virus.

Dr David Cox said: “A boy of 18 months was admitted to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary today with symptoms of the virus. Tests have confirmed that the virus is H1N1.

“I can confirm a female patient has been transferred to specialist hospital in Leicester.

“I can also confirm that influenza and flu-type conditions are circulating in the local community. This influenza is of varying types and I take the opportunity to remind anyone who is in the at risk group for flu and who has not yet been vaccinated to do so.”