Swine flu woman 'recovering well'

Redditch MP Jacqui Smith said she understood residents' concerns

A woman from Worcestershire is one of five people in the UK who contracted swine flu after visiting Mexico.

Derrick Ward, of the West Midlands Health Protection Agency, said the confirmed case in Redditch was only "a mild case".

He said she was responding well to treatment at home and there was "no need" for other people to worry.

Five people the woman had been in contact with - including family members - have been given anti-viral drugs.

She is one of five people in the UK who has been confirmed as having contracted the virus.

Pandemic concern

Dr Richard Harling, director of public health for Worcestershire, said: "Obviously we are concerned about the possibility of an influenza pandemic and we are making sure that our plans are in place should we need them.

"The emphasis at the moment is on treating any patients with suspected swine flu.

"Symptoms of infection include fever, cough, runny nose, limb or joint pain and headache.

"People who develop symptoms and who have returned from Mexico or the US within the last seven days should stay at home and contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

"We will then make arrangements to come and assess them and provide treatment if necessary. They are asked not to go to their GP and not to go to hospital."

'Very worrying'

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, who is also MP for Redditch, said she was satisfied clinicians were doing all they could to stop the infection spreading.

She added: "It's very worrying for my constituents and I can understand people in Redditch being worried.

"I've spoken this afternoon to local health chiefs. I've also spoken to Alan Johnson, the health secretary.

"We've been preparing for... a potential big flu outbreak like this for the past five years and we're actually in a very good place to be able to deal with it.

"Up to this point the only people that have been confirmed in this country with swine flu are those who have directly travelled to Mexico and the United States."

An adult from London and a 12-year-old girl from Devon were also being treated for swine flu, the prime minister said.

Two cases of swine flu have previously been confirmed in Scotland.

Gordon Brown told the House of Commons all those with the virus were responding well to treatment.