Swine Flu: Two admitted to Scottish hospital with flu-like symptoms after return from Mexico

Published on Sunday 26 April 2009 18:35

Two people have been admitted to a Scottish hospital after returning from Mexico with flu-like symptoms, Scotland's health secretary said today.

Nicola Sturgeon said the pair – who came to Scotland on April 21 – had not been in an area affected by recent outbreaks of swine influenza.

She said: "The patients have displayed mild flu-like symptoms and their current condition is not causing concern."

The announcement came as the UK was on alert to look for unusual flu cases after a deadly outbreak.

More than 80 people have died of pneumonia in Mexico after contracting a flu-like virus and many others – including children in a New York school – have fallen ill in the US and Mexico.

Ms Sturgeon, who is also deputy First Minister of Scotland, said "19 or 20" people in Scotland who had come in contact with the two people now in hospital had been traced.

She stressed that the pair were not very ill but were in isolation at Monklands Hospital, Airdrie, Lanarkshire.

Ms Sturgeon said: "The Scottish government in conjunction with other administrations in the UK, are closely monitoring the situation and assessing the implications, if any, of this situation for Scotland.

"The situation is also being monitored closely and assessed by the international organisations dealing with the prevention and control of infectious diseases."

She said Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond convened a meeting of ministers and officials this afternoon and that she had spoken to UK Health Secretary Alan Johnson about the development.

Full Scottish Government statement

Deputy First Minister and Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:

"The situation in Mexico and US is being actively investigated by Centre for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organisation (WHO) and partner organisations. The events are unusual and therefore require vigilance. WHO have declared a public health emergency of international concern.

"The Scottish Government, in conjunction with other administrations in the UK, are closely monitoring the situation and assessing the implications, if any, of this situation for Scotland.

The situation is also being monitored closely and assessed by the international organisations dealing with the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

"There are no confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK or elsewhere in Europe, however some travellers who had returned from Mexico are undergoing assessment. This includes two people who have been admitted to a Scottish hospital for precautionary assessment, who returned from Mexico on April 21 but had not travelled in any areas affected by the outbreaks. Precautionary tests are being conducted on these people and results of these further tests are expected later this weekend, or early next week. The patients have displayed mild flu-like symptoms and their current condition is not causing concern. Monitoring of those who have been in close contact with the two people is also being carried out as an additional precaution.

"There is no immediate threat to public health in Scotland. The WHO Influenza Pandemic alert phase remains unchanged at 3.

"As a sensible, precautionary measure the Scottish Government resilience room has been opened and is working closely with London to monitor the situation.

"Today the First Minister chaired a meeting of relevant ministers and officials.

"WHO has said UK planning for a flu pandemic is among the most advanced in the world but we cannot afford to be complacent. The Scottish Government take the threat of a flu pandemic very seriously and have been working with local responders for a number of years to ensure that Scotland is in the best possible position to manage an emergency on such a scale.

"The H1N1 swine fever virus is sensitive to the antiviral drugs (Tamiflu and Relenza). We have significant stockpiles for Scotland."