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Swine Flu outbreak
29/04/2009
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has addressed the Scottish Parliament to update members on the swine flu situation.
She said test results had shown 13 out of 23 suspected cases to be negative for swine flu, with two cases now no longer suspect.
In addition 24 new suspected cases have been reported across Scotland - all of them people with travel connections to Mexico or other affected areas.
This means that test results for a total of 32 suspected cases are expected soon.
Read the full text of the Health Secretary's statement to Parliament
The Cabinet Secretary also told Parliament she had spoken to Iain Askham on the telephone today and reported that he and wife Dawn continue to recover well in Monklands Hospital, Airdrie.
Test results on the nine people from within their contact group of 22 have now shown that eight are negative and one test remains outstanding.
Out of a further 14 suspected cases reported by the Health Secretary yesterday [Tuesday], seven have tested negative or been otherwise ruled out, while seven results remain outstanding.
The 24 new suspected cases are in the following health boards: Ayrshire & Arran, Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Grampian, Lanarkshire, Highland and Lothian.
Ms Sturgeon said:
"A short while ago, I spoke to Iain Askham and passed on very best wishes of this parliament and the whole country to both him and his wife Dawn. I am pleased to report that they are continuing to recover in hospital.
"At this stage, our top priority is to disrupt the spread of infection.
"We are therefore treating all suspected cases in line with the precautionary principle. That means they are assumed to be positive until they are shown to be negative.
"We are tracing contacts for all suspected cases and ensuring appropriate management of all contacts.
"Based on the test results we have so far, we are cautiously optimistic that this approach is showing some signs of success. However, we remain focussed and vigilant.
"I know that people will be concerned by recent developments, but I would like to reassure everyone that the risk to the public is, at this stage, low and we are working hard to keep it that way."
Along with other parts of the UK, Scotland has been preparing for a flu pandemic for several years. The Scottish Government's pandemic flu framework has been in place since November 2007 and all NHS Boards have their own plans in place.
Scotland has sufficient stockpiles of two antiviral drugs - Tamiflu and Relenza -to treat 50 per cent of the population. This is a very high level of cover and places Scotland among the best-equipped countries in the world.
Both of these drugs have been effective in treating cases of the H1N1 strain of swine flu.
The Scottish Government is continuing to monitor the situation very closely, in conjunction with our colleagues in other parts of the UK and the World Health Organisation. Scottish NHS boards are well prepared to respond to any further suspected cases.
Anyone who develops flu-like symptoms or who has recently returned from one of the affected areas and is worried about their health should contact NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 or their GP.