The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has announced that a further nine patients who had been under investigation in England have been confirmed with swine flu; the total number of confirmed cases in the United Kingdom now stands at 27, with another 331 cases currently under laboratory investigation. Samples are sent to the Health Protection Agency’s laboratories.

  • An adult from London who recently returned from Mexico

  • An adult from the West Midlands who recently returned from Mexico

  • Two siblings of school age from London. They were both in close contact with a confirmed infected adult who had recently returned from the USA.

  • Five children of school age from London – all from the same school. Under advice from the HPA, the school will remain closed for one week. All pupils from the school have been offered antivirals and advised to monitor their health for flu-like symptoms. The HPA says they do not need to isolate themselves from the community if they do not show symptoms.

The five children attend the same school as a pupil who had recently returned from the USA and has already been confirmed with swine flu. Local health experts monitored all classmates who were feeling unwell, regardless of symptoms. The monitoring resulted in five pupils being confirmed with the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. All the children who continue to feel unwell are receiving antiviral treatment and are recovering at home. Those in close contact with these children are also being offered antivirals. Parents of the pupils of this school are being notified of the current situation.

In the United Kingdom people who feel unwell and have returned from affected areas are being told to contact their doctors and to stay at home. Coming into the doctor’s surgery may increase the risk of infection for other patients. People may also contact NHS Direct on telephone number 0845 4647.

  • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and/or sneezing; use a tissue when possible. Coughing/sneezing into the inside of your elbow if you have no tissues, rather than into your hand is better, as you are unlikely to touch surfaces with the inside of your elbow.
  • Dispose of tissues carefully and immediately
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water
  • Keep hard surfaces clean; use a normal cleaning product
  • Make sure your children also follow this advice

Written by – Christian Nordqvist