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Swine flu outbreak
01/05/2009
A third case of Influenza A (H1N1) flu has been confirmed in Scotland.
A member of the contact group of the original two patients - Dawn and Iain Askham - has now tested positive for the A (H1N1) virus.
This is the first case of onward transmission from human to human in the UK. The individual, from the Forth Valley area, is suffering from cold-like symptoms. His clincal condition is not giving cause for concern.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said:
"While the circumstances surrounding this case do give cause for concern, it is important to stress that the risk to public health in Scotland remains low.
"This is the first case of transmission from human to human in this country but, fortunately, the symptoms are mild and those affected appear to be making a full recovery.
"Scotland, and the UK as a whole, is well prepared for a pandemic but we must remain vigilant as we focus on disrupting the spread of the virus.
"I would urge everyone in Scotland to remain calm and continue taking sensible hygiene precautions."
Earlier, Ms Sturgeon met business, local authority and trade union leaders alongside representatives of Scotland's emergency services to discuss the ongoing swine flu outbreak.
Those invited to the meeting included:
- The chairs of the eight strategic co-ordinating groups (the main responder organisations across the emergency services and the voluntary sector)
- The leaders of the key business umbrella organisations
- Opposition party health spokespeople
- The General Secretary of the STUC
- COSLA convener, Pat Watters
Ms Sturgeon said:
"It's vital that we all work together to ensure that in Scotland we are best placed to deal with any situation that we may face.
"The status update will provide me with the opportunity to thank people from across a range of disciplines for their work so far and to address any issues that may have arisen.
"Although we have had two confirmed cases in Scotland, I would like to reassure people that we are not in a pandemic situation and level of threat to public health remains low."