Girl recovering well as two further swine flu cases confirmed

A seven-year-old girl with swine flu was tonight said to be recovering well at home as the Department of Health confirmed two further cases of swine flu.

A spokeswoman said the new cases were not connected to the child's infection in Mayo.

The youngster, who has not been on holiday, caught the virus from someone in Ireland - the second in-country transmission bringing the total number of cases to 16.

The child is being cared for by her parents in Balla, near Casltebar, Co Mayo and classmates at St John's National School, Breaffy have also been kept at home.

Concerned parents were briefed on precautions and what symptoms to be aware of at an after-school meeting with local health chiefs.

Seoirse O'Morain, principal of St John's, confirmed the child has been in school for the last week and not away on holidays.

"The child that is ill is doing very well and is being treated at home, which is most important," the principal said.

The youngster's class has been shut down for the next few days. Mr Moran said there was no reason to close the entire school or any of the other 13 classes which cater for 360 pupils.

However, it is understood large numbers of parents withdrew their children when they became aware of the disease.

Health chiefs contacted the school at 8.30am to confirm the child's positive test and the principal immediately sent text messages to concerned parents and asked for the youngster's classmates to be kept at home.

A meeting was also hastily arranged for parents with doctors offering information sessions, assessments and further tests if parents required. Anti-viral drugs will be given to 28 children in the girl's class.

The Department of Health spokeswoman said the two at-home transmissions are not connected and that the latest case is not considered severe.

Officials were also at pains to insist even though swine flu is easily transmitted the effects are quite mild for most people.

Professor Tony Holohan, the Chief Medical Officer, said: "We know that two of these (cases) have occurred in people who have not had travel to any of the infected areas so clearly these are cases that have been picked up in this country.

"This is an easily transmitted virus in broad terms but it's a mild illness for the greater majority of people who get it."

Some sufferers may develop complications such as pneumonia.

Prof Holohan also stressed health chiefs are expecting a low level of swine flu infections during the summer but they are preparing for an increase in the number of cases in the autumn.

The first at-home transmission involved a woman who caught the virus from a patient who got the flu on a trip to New York.

Last week an American man in his 70s was treated in Roscommon County Hospital for swine flu.

It is understood a large number of the 16 cases in Ireland involve people who have travelled to the US. The first case was confirmed on May 2.

The Department of Health confirmed officials have traced everyone the youngster has been in contact with.

"The Department can confirm that an additional case has been identified as a positive case of Influenza A (H1N1)," a government spokeswoman said.

"The child is being cared for at home. All contacts have been traced and all necessary health measures are being taken."