Seven new cases of swine flu confirmed in UK

Seven new cases of swine flu have been confirmed today in the UK, health officials said.

Three adults and four children in England are affected and they bring the total in the UK to 55.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said the new cases included two adults and four children in London and an adult in the East of England region.

A spokeswoman for the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the adult from the east of England and one of the adults from London were in contact with previously confirmed cases.

The second adult from London and all four children “were swabbed last week and may have acquired their infection before the closure of their school,” she said.

The spokeswoman went on: “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.”

A Department of Health spokeswoman added: “So far, all infections in the UK have been mild, and cases have been diagnosed and treated early.

“This reduces the severity of symptoms, and helps to limit the spread.

“But we must not be complacent – it is right to prepare for the possibility of a global pandemic. The UK’s arrangements are continuing to ensure that we are well-placed to deal with this new infection.”

Of the 55 cases in the UK, 50 are in England and five in Scotland.

A further 384 cases were under laboratory investigation as of 3pm today, the HPA said.