Third Merseyside case of swine flu confirmed

May 13 2009 by Liza Williams, Heswall News

A WiRRAL man is being treated at home for swine flu.

It is the third Merseyside case of swine flu to be confirmed.

The man, who has recently returned from Mexico, has not needed hospital treatment.

A family member is also being given anti-viral drugs as a precaution.

It follows the diagnosis of a husband and wife in Sefton just over a week ago.

There are 65 confirmed cases nationally so far, and 336 people are under laboratory investigation.

In total, 10 new cases were confirmed yesterday, including two in Greater Manchester, two in London and four in the East and South East of England.

A Health Protection Agency (HPA) spokesman said: “A man from Wirral who visited Mexico has been confirmed to have H1N1 influenza.

“The man is being treated with Tamiflu and is recovering at home. A household contact is being treated as a precautionary measure.”

Merseyside experts say there is no need to panic and offered simple advise last night.

A HPA North West spokesman added: “There are simple but crucial measures that people can take to protect themselves from the flu.

“It’s essential to cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and to turn away from other people in the vicinity.

“Paper tissues should preferably be used to cover the mouth and nose and these should be disposed of in a bin immediately afterwards. “It’s important to wash hands thoroughly as soon as possible after sneezing and handling a tissue.”

Meanwhile, holiday companies Thomson and First Choice said on Monday they were cancelling all outbound flights to the Mexican resorts of Cancun and Cozumel up to and including May 18.

Customers due to travel can amend their holiday free of charge.

Travellers returning from Mexico or other countries where there have been outbreaks of swine flu do not need to take any special precautions.

However, they should monitor their health for seven days after returning and if they experience symptoms, should phone their family doctor or NHS Direct on 0845-4647.