Contacts of people showing symptoms are being given anti-viral tablets

Three more people in England have tested positive for swine flu, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the UK to 71.

The cases involve one adult and one child from London, while a second pupil at Castle View School, Canvey Island, Essex, has become infected.

The Health Protection Agency said they all picked up the H1N1 virus through contact with people already diagnosed.

Some 339 suspected cases remain under investigation in the UK.

The World Health Organisation said on Tuesday that a third of the global population could become infected by swine flu. It said there have been 5,728 cases reported across 33 countries.

A total of 61 people are confirmed to have died from the disease, all in north or central America.

The second pupil, together with all the other pupils in the year group, received the anti-viral drug Tamiflu at the weekend to limit onward transmission Andrea Atherton South East Essex Primary Care Trust Swine flu closes Scottish nursery

A spokesman for NHS London confirmed two of the latest cases were in southern boroughs, involving a child from Southwark and an adult from Lewisham.

"They are contacts of previously confirmed cases," he said.

Meanwhile, Andrea Atherton, director of public health at the South East Essex Primary Care Trust, confirmed a second pupil at Castle View had tested positive but insisted the risk of transmission remained "small".

The school was closed for a week on Monday as a precaution after a fellow Year 8 pupil developed symptoms.

"The second pupil, together with all the other pupils in the year group, received the anti-viral drug Tamiflu at the weekend to limit onward transmission," she said, adding that close contacts had also been given the tablets.

Production is to begin on a swine flu vaccine as soon as possible

Seven new cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Britain as the Foreign Office lifted its travel restrictions into Mexico.

Four children in London and three people in Greenock, Scotland have the virus, with UK cases now at 85.

The UK government has signed a deal to secure up to 90 million doses of a new H1N1 flu vaccine by December.

The global number of confirmed cases rose by more than 1,000 in 24 hours to hit 7,520. Sixty-five people have died.

However a decline in the number of reported new cases in Mexico means the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has changed its advice on travel to Mexico.

Officials have removed previous advice to avoid all but essential travel, but ask British nationals to continue to follow local advice on precautions to avoid exposure to the virus.

In the UK, the four new cases in England were children in London who were linked to previously confirmed cases.

The new confirmed cases in Scotland were a mother and her five-year-old son, plus a 16-year-old girl.

All three had been among five "probable" cases that led to a nursery and primary school being closed in Greenock, as a precaution, on Tuesday. Test results are still being awaited for another mother and her three-year-old child.

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the three patients were all experiencing mild symptoms, and were not giving cause for clinical concern.

Unlicensed websites

Meanwhile the UK government deal on vaccines will speed up access to the vaccine - which will be available regardless of whether a pandemic is officially declared - said Health Secretary Alan Johnson.

He said Baxter and GlaxoSmithKline would begin production of the vaccine - which would provide immunity from the virus - as soon as possible.

Agreements had already been in place to ensure two doses of vaccine for each person in the UK - but that contract would only have kicked in once a pandemic was under way.

If people do want to buy medicines over the internet, we urge them to consult their GP first Department of Health

The updated deal means the 90m doses will be available as soon as they are ready, regardless of whether the World Health Organization has declared a global pandemic, known as Phase 6.

Meanwhile warnings have been issued about unlicensed websites selling the antiviral drug Tamiflu to worried members of the public.

In the UK, the government has secured 50m doses of Tamiflu and the alternative antiviral drug Relenza. Unlike vaccines, which are preventative, antivirals are used to treat the virus once it is already present.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said the 50m doses were enough antivirals to cover 80% of the population and those who needed them would get them.

"If people do want to buy medicines over the internet, we urge them to consult their GP first and ensure that the website is operated from a registered pharmacy premises."

Mr Johnson said the localised cases of swine flu in the UK had so far been mild.

"Our strategy of containing the spread with antivirals appears to have been effective in reducing symptoms and preventing further spread of infection," he said.
SOURCE: www.bbc.co.uk
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I think the "1000 more cases worldwide in 24 hours" is more reason for concern than the current UK total.