Scottish swine flu victims named

Published on Tuesday 28 April 2009 09:47

A HONEYMOONING couple were today named as the UK's first victims of the swine flue epidemic.

Iain and Dawn Askham, from Polmont near Falkirk, are believed to have contracted the illness during a holiday in the Cancun region of Mexico.

The couple are being kept in isolation at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie.

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said yesterday they had tested positive and seven of 22 people who had been in contact with them were showing "mild symptoms".

Britons were warned to avoid all but essential travel to Mexico today as world health officials said the deadly swine flu virus can no longer be contained.

The UK braced itself for further cases as officials issued new travel advice after the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised its alert over the outbreak to level four, signifying a "significant increase in risk of a pandemic".

The Foreign Office said: "We are now advising against all but essential travel to Mexico."

It added that British nationals "resident in or visiting Mexico may wish to consider whether they should remain in Mexico at this time".

More on swine flu:

• Swine flu confirmed at Scottish hospital

• Britons advised not to go to Mexico

• Analysis: Caution, not panic is best approach to outbreaks

• Passengers surprised at lack of flu checks