Swine flu fears regarding fight played down

Passengers who shared a flight with the North’s first swine flu sufferer do not appear to have been infected, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said today.

The minister told the North's Assembly that officials had contacted the 150 people who were on the easyJet flight from Gatwick to Belfast after news of the infection emerged last week.

A man from Antrim travelling home on May 8 with his family after a holiday in Mexico was later confirmed as the North’s first swine flu victim, but Mr McGimpsey said no further cases had been identified.

The Health Minister said the public should not be overly concerned at swine flu reaching the North.

“People should not be alarmed by this development,” he said.

“In light of the current situation across the world, it was only to be expected that we would have a case in Northern Ireland.

“I am pleased to hear that the individual who has recently returned from Mexico is at home and continuing to make a good recovery.

“It is reassuring to date that confirmed cases of swine flu across the UK have all been relatively mild and responded well to antiviral treatment.”

He said 20 people on the Belfast flight had been treated with antivirals.

The Minister said 76 passengers from the flight were resident in the North and the remaining travellers were being dealt with by their local health authorities in Britain.

“In relation to the confirmed case, the Public Health Agency has contacted passengers who travelled on the same flight as this individual,” said Mr McGimpsey.

“As the flight was now more than seven days ago, their advice is that the risk of infection is very low.”

He added: “I would also like to emphasise that we have had no cases in school children in Northern Ireland and parents, teachers and pupils can be reassured by that.

“The message to school children and to everyone else is to follow simple, effective measures such as frequent handwashing with soap and water and using a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing, to reduce the spread of flu.”

He said anyone who has travelled to Mexico or other affected areas within the last week and develops flu-like illness should stay at home and seek medical advice from a GP.