10 May 2009

* Cases currently under laboratory investigation change on a daily basis on account of some of those under assessment being discounted and new ones being introduced. The figure quoted above is correct at the time stated

Testing of the swine flu virus is carried out by the Health Protection Agency's laboratories.

Two of the new cases are adults, one from the East of England region and the other from London. Both are contacts of previously confirmed cases.

The remaining five additional cases reported today comprise one adult and four children from the London area. These are cases who were swabbed last week and who may have acquired their infection before the closure of their school.  Since then, antivirals have been given to all children and staff as a precautionary measure.

Due to the time-lag between the reporting of symptoms, taking swabs, testing and the confirmation of results, the new cases reported daily may have recovered and may now be symptom-free. All symptomatic patients are recovering at home. Close contacts of these cases are receiving antivirals as a precautionary measure.

The Health Protection Agency has recently updated its advice on actions to be taken in a school in the event of a probable or confirmed case of "swine flu" being identified in a school pupil and this can be found on the HPA website.

Advice remains that individuals returning from affected areas who become unwell within seven days of their return or contacts of a confirmed or probable case of swine flu who are exhibiting symptoms should stay at home and contact their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Individuals will be assessed and, if necessary, testing and treatment will be provided.

General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including swine flu. This includes:

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  Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
  
  
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  Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
  
  
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  Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.
  
  
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  Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
  
  
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  Making sure your children follow this advice.
  
  
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  Where antivirals are prescribed, it is important that the specified course of treatment is followed and completed, even though in some cases this medication may cause nausea.