New flu case brings total to 185

All parents and staff with symptoms have received anti-viral medication

An adult from the East Midlands has become the latest confirmed case of swine flu, pushing the UK total up one to 185, health officials have said.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said a further 155 possible cases of the H1N1 virus remain under investigation.

On Tuesday, Welford Primary School in Birmingham saw its confirmed cases jump by 44 to 50 - just five were adults.

Elsewhere, a man identified as a "highly probable" case is critically ill, the Scottish government has said.

The latest confirmed case was a returning traveller who lives in Nottinghamshire, the HPA confirmed.

'Not complacent'

At Welford, more people connected to the school are expected to be diagnosed with the virus, HPA officials said on Tuesday.

The school, which has more than 400 pupils and 60 children in its nursery, notified the HPA after spotting a higher than usual number of pupil absences early last week.

It confirmed its first case of swine flu on Friday, five more over the bank holiday weekend and 44 on Tuesday.

All those confirmed with the virus were responding well to treatment, the HPA said.

Welford, which is currently closed for half term, said a "deep clean" of its premises would take place during the holiday period.

In Glasgow, a 37-year-old man suspected of having the virus, is critically ill.

He was admitted to the city's Victoria Infirmary on Thursday and is said to have underlying health problems.

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "It is not yet known whether flu was the cause of his illness, or whether it was incidental to it."

The Department of Health spokesman said the current cases in England and Wales had so far been mild, and the strategy of containing the spread with antiviral drugs appeared to have been effective.

"But we must not be complacent - it is right to prepare for the possibility of a global pandemic," he said.

"The UK's arrangements are continuing to ensure that we are well-placed to deal with this new infection."

About 13,000 people around the world have been diagnosed with the virus.