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Further tests for swine flu cases More swine flu tests in Scotland
(39 minutes later)
Swine flu tests are continuing on seven people in Scotland after a newly-wed couple contracted the virus. A total of 23 people are being tested for swine flu across Scotland in addition to a newly-wed couple who are confirmed to have contracted the virus.
Iain and Dawn Askham, from Polmont, near Falkirk, were named as the first UK cases of the disease after returning from honeymoon in Mexico. Iain and Dawn Askham were named as the first UK cases of the disease after returning from honeymoon in Mexico.
They are said to be responding well to treatment, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown said one of them could be allowed to return home later on Tuesday. They are said to be responding well to treatment.
Nine people who came into contact with Mr and Mrs Askham are displaying "mild" flu-like symptoms, as are a further 14 unrelated cases.
Swine flu is believed to have claimed almost 150 lives in Mexico.Swine flu is believed to have claimed almost 150 lives in Mexico.
Britons are being advised to consider leaving Mexico.Britons are being advised to consider leaving Mexico.
The World Health Organization has raised its alert level to four - two steps short of declaring a pandemic. See map showing confirmed and suspected casesThe World Health Organization has raised its alert level to four - two steps short of declaring a pandemic. See map showing confirmed and suspected cases
The Scottish couple have been given anti-virals and are said to be responding well at Monklands Hospital in Airdire. Mr and Mrs Askham have been given anti-virals and are said to be responding well at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie.
Tests are continuing on seven people who came into close contact with the pair and who have flu-like symptoms. Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said tests were being carried out on nine people who came into close contact with the pair and who also have flu-like symptoms.
She said a further 14 people from health boards across Scotland were also displaying mild flu-like symptoms. It is understood they had either returned from travelling in affected areas, or come into close contact with someone who had.
The cases under investigation are in Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lothian, Forth Valley, Grampian, Tayside and Lanarkshire.
None of these 23 cases had been confirmed as swine flu, Ms Sturgeon said.
Mr and Mrs Askham picked up the virus while on honeymoon in the Mexican resort of Cancun.Mr and Mrs Askham picked up the virus while on honeymoon in the Mexican resort of Cancun.
They had been married on 4 April at the Three Kings hotel, near Falkirk.They had been married on 4 April at the Three Kings hotel, near Falkirk.
Hotel owner David Cattanach said he believed the couple had flown out on honeymoon two days later.Hotel owner David Cattanach said he believed the couple had flown out on honeymoon two days later.
Mr Askham is employed by utility firm Scottish Power and is a keen amateur footballer who plays for six-a-side team FC Mallard in a league based at Ochilview Park, the home of Scottish Football League third division side Stenhousemuir.Mr Askham is employed by utility firm Scottish Power and is a keen amateur footballer who plays for six-a-side team FC Mallard in a league based at Ochilview Park, the home of Scottish Football League third division side Stenhousemuir.
An FC Mallard match due to have taken place on Wednesday night has been cancelled because of the flu scare.An FC Mallard match due to have taken place on Wednesday night has been cancelled because of the flu scare.
Paramedics were called to the couple's house in Polmont
Mrs Askham works at a local Boots chemist shop.Mrs Askham works at a local Boots chemist shop.
A spokesman for Boots said: "We have acted quickly and have co-operated fully with the authorities to ensure that any risk to public health is minimised.A spokesman for Boots said: "We have acted quickly and have co-operated fully with the authorities to ensure that any risk to public health is minimised.
Paramedics were called to the couple's house in Polmont
"Colleagues who may have been in contact with the virus have been asked to stay at home, and have been tested and treated as a precaution."Colleagues who may have been in contact with the virus have been asked to stay at home, and have been tested and treated as a precaution.
"We are confident that the necessary steps have been taken to help prevent the further transmission of the virus and the store is open and trading as usual.""We are confident that the necessary steps have been taken to help prevent the further transmission of the virus and the store is open and trading as usual."
Mr and Mrs Askham's parents are among the close contacts who have received precautionary antiviral treatment.Mr and Mrs Askham's parents are among the close contacts who have received precautionary antiviral treatment.
Mrs Askham's father, Brian Colston, said his daughter's condition was improving, when he spoke at the door of his home in Falkirk.Mrs Askham's father, Brian Colston, said his daughter's condition was improving, when he spoke at the door of his home in Falkirk.
"She's doing OK, she's getting better," he said."She's doing OK, she's getting better," he said.
Neighbours of the couple spoke of their shock on learning they had contracted the virus.Neighbours of the couple spoke of their shock on learning they had contracted the virus.
Rachel Anderson, who lives across the road, said: "They were in Mexico for their honeymoon. On Saturday one of the neighbours noticed a paramedic on the street and they have not seen the couple since.Rachel Anderson, who lives across the road, said: "They were in Mexico for their honeymoon. On Saturday one of the neighbours noticed a paramedic on the street and they have not seen the couple since.
"It is a shame for them and I feel for their family. They will be very worried. They are saying that it's the young folk it's hitting. "It is a shame for them and I feel for their family. They will be very worried. It's not the kind of honeymoon you want."
"They have been here quite a while and that is them getting married. It's not the kind of honeymoon you want."
But she added: "It is treatable. We've got the facilities in this country to deal with it and I'm sure they will be OK."
Local Labour MP Eric Joyce said he had spoken to the chief executive of NHS Forth Valley.
He added: "This is a very worrying time for all the people concerned, their friends and families, and indeed the whole community in Polmont.
SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezingSymptoms mimic those of normal flu - but in Mexico people are beginning to dieGood hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission 'Too late' to contain swine flu WHO raises swine flu alert level Q&A: Swine fluSWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezingSymptoms mimic those of normal flu - but in Mexico people are beginning to dieGood hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission 'Too late' to contain swine flu WHO raises swine flu alert level Q&A: Swine flu
"The priority is to treat the young couple who are ill, and identify people who have been in contact with them urgently. I understand that this is focusing on seven people initially. Local Labour MP Eric Joyce said he had spoken to the chief executive of NHS Forth Valley.
"Luckily, this remains a rare disease and the chances of infection are very, very low." He added: "This is a very worrying time for all the people concerned, their friends and families, and indeed the whole community in Polmont."
Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Governments across the world are being very vigilant.
"At the moment we have no evidence that the virus is in the wider community, although people will understand I obviously can't rule that out.
"I would say in terms of reassurance that the one thing that I think everybody in the international community is taking encouragement from is that outside of Mexico anyone contracting this virus is displaying very mild symptoms and they tend to be recovering very quickly."
The prime minister said Britain was "among the best prepared countries in the world" and that the government was taking "all the urgent action that is necessary" to help prevent the spread of the virus.The prime minister said Britain was "among the best prepared countries in the world" and that the government was taking "all the urgent action that is necessary" to help prevent the spread of the virus.
Mr Brown and Ms Sturgeon took part in a meeting of the UK Government's Cobra emergencies committee on Tuesday morning.Mr Brown and Ms Sturgeon took part in a meeting of the UK Government's Cobra emergencies committee on Tuesday morning.
Following the raising of the WHO alert level, a statement on the Foreign Office website said: "Cases of swine influenza have been reported in Mexico City and a number of other locations across the country.Following the raising of the WHO alert level, a statement on the Foreign Office website said: "Cases of swine influenza have been reported in Mexico City and a number of other locations across the country.
"Travellers should consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of flu-like symptoms.""Travellers should consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of flu-like symptoms."
Health officials are urging everyone to remain vigilant and anyone with flu symptoms who thinks they may have come into contact with the couple should call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.Health officials are urging everyone to remain vigilant and anyone with flu symptoms who thinks they may have come into contact with the couple should call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.
Mexico: 152 suspected deaths from swine flu - 20 confirmed cases US: 50 confirmed casesCanada: 6 confirmed casesNew Zealand - 3 confirmed casesUK - 2 confirmed casesSpain: 2 confirmed caseIsrael - 1 confirmed caseCountries with suspected cases: Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Australia, and South KoreaMexico: 152 suspected deaths from swine flu - 20 confirmed cases US: 50 confirmed casesCanada: 6 confirmed casesNew Zealand - 3 confirmed casesUK - 2 confirmed casesSpain: 2 confirmed caseIsrael - 1 confirmed caseCountries with suspected cases: Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Australia, and South Korea
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