This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/8022103.stm
The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Further tests for swine flu cases | Further tests for swine flu cases |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Swine flu tests are continuing on seven people in Scotland after a newly-wed couple contracted the virus. | Swine flu tests are continuing on seven people in Scotland after a newly-wed couple 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, from Polmont, near Falkirk, 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, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown said one of them could be allowed to return home later on Tuesday. |
| 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 cases | The 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. | The Scottish couple have been given anti-virals and are said to be responding well at Monklands Hospital in Airdire. |
| Tests are continuing on seven people who came into close contact with the pair and who have flu-like symptoms. | Tests are continuing on seven people who came into close contact with the pair and who have flu-like symptoms. |
| 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 July at the Three Kings hotel, near Falkirk. | |
| 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. | Mr Askham is employed by utility firm Scottish Power. |
| Paramedics were called to the couple's house in Polmont | |
| Neighbours of the couple spoke of their shock on learning the couple had contracted the virus. | Neighbours of the couple spoke of their shock on learning the couple 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. They are saying that it's the young folk it's hitting. |
| "They have been here quite a while and that is them getting married. 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." | 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. | 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. | He added: "This is a very worrying time for all the people concerned, their friends and families, and indeed the whole community in Polmont. |
| "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. | "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. |
| "Luckily, this remains a rare disease and the chances of infection are very, very low." | "Luckily, this remains a rare disease and the chances of infection are very, very low." |
| Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Governments across the world are being very vigilant. | Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Governments across the world are being very vigilant. |
| 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 flu | 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 flu |
| "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. | "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." | "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 parents of Mr and Mrs Askham have yet to comment on their conditions. It is not known if they are among the close contacts being tested for the virus. | The parents of Mr and Mrs Askham have yet to comment on their conditions. It is not known if they are among the close contacts being tested for 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. | 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 was also due to take part in a meeting of the government's Cobra emergencies committee on Tuesday morning. | Mr Brown was also due to take part in a meeting of the 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 Korea | |
| Return to story | Return to story |
| Have you or someone you know recently returned from one of the areas of infection? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Have you or someone you know recently returned from one of the areas of infection? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |