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Nurse catches swine flu from critically ill patient
By Kunal Dutta

The number of swine flu cases in the UK exceeded 400 yesterday after a nurse who treated a patient with swine flu became the first British health worker to contract the virus

The 26-year-old who works at the Southern Royal General Hospital in Glasgow had treated a 38-year-old woman who remained critically ill after contracting the virus. Four victims are now in intensive care. Thirteen more cases were confirmed at Birmingham's Welford Primary School, where 96 pupils have been diagnosed with the virus. Two cases have been reported at Eton College, taking its total to six.

Last night a postgraduate student at Oxford University was also confirmed with the flu. The number of H1N1 cases in the UK has reached 404, with 313 in England, 88 in Scotland, two in Northern Ireland and one in Wales. Other cases involve adults from Coventry, Telford and Birmingham, who all recently returned from the US.

Most cases and deaths have been reported in Mexico and the US, but the virus is spreading from person to person in countries as far apart as Britain, Spain, Japan, Chile and Australia. The number of swine flu cases worldwide has reached 19,273, according to the latest WHO figures.
Independent

Woman with swine flu gives birth

BBC

Swine flu total 'may be double'

The number of swine flu cases in the UK is probably double the official figure, a leading bacteriologist has said.

The official total stands at well above 500 after more cases were confirmed on Saturday, but Prof Hugh Pennington told BBC 5 Live the real figure is higher.

BBC

Swine flu closes North Yorkshire school

RIPON Grammar School has shut for a week after a pupil tested positive for swine flu.

The child is believed to be a Year 7 student who is now receiving medical care and is recuperating at home. Friends of the student are receiving antiviral drugs as a precaution but any other people or students who feel that they have had close contact with the child will be able to pick up medication at the school on Thursday between noon and 2pm in the school hall.

Special arrangements are being made for students due to sit exams and these will go ahead as planned for all pupils providing they are well.

The school will re-open on June 18.


The Press

Swine flu adult in intensive care

A patient with swine flu is in intensive care at Birmingham City Hospital.

The adult is recovering, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust said.

Two other patients have been treated for swine flu at the hospital, although one is in a less serious condition and the other has been discharged.

At Birmingham Children's Hospital, two children and two staff have the virus. Four schools in the city are closed after confirmed outbreaks.

BBC

WHO declares first flu pandemic of 21st century

GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organisation declared the first flu pandemic of the 21st century on Thursday, Sweden's health ministry said.

The health ministry said the United Nations agency was raising its pandemic flu alert to the top phase 6 on a six-point scale, indicating the first influenza pandemic since 1968 is under way.

Reuters

Swine flu screening plans change

The Isle of Man government has changed its criteria for screening for swine flu, in response to an increase in cases in the UK.

The Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS) said patients with flu symptoms who have been to an affected country within a week will be screened.

They may also be offered a course of anti-viral drugs, which are stocked by the government.

There have been no cases of Swine Flu confirmed on the Isle of Man so far.

BBC