Scotland 'could help combat flu'

Iain and Dawn Askham caught the virus after honeymooning in Mexico

Scotland could help the world to combat swine flu, according to the country's chief medical officer.

Dr Harry Burns said having among the first confirmed cases of the virus put Scotland in a "pretty unique position".

Results for many of the 23 people tested for swine flu across Scotland are expected to be released later.

Nine of those came into contact with Iain and Dawn Askham, from Polmont, near Falkirk, who were confirmed to have contracted the virus in Mexico.

Those nine are said to be displaying "mild cold-like" symptoms.

A further 14 people have also undergone tests. All had travel links to affected areas of Mexico or the US.

These include reports of a second honeymooning couple who were in Cancun around the same time as the Askhams, who have been quarantined at their house in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh.

It may be that more of these cases are confirmed as swine flu - we don't know that at this stage Nicola Sturgeon Health Secretary More swine flu tests in Scotland

Chief medical officer, Dr Harry Burns told BBC Scotland's Newsnight Scotland programme Scotland already has a flu surveillance programme run through GPs, especially through the winter months.

He said it was important to use that existing network of information.

He said: "We are planning to get daily reports from health boards.

"What we have to try to do is to establish more about the virus.

"I think Scotland is in a pretty unique position to help the rest of the world on this, because we're one of the first countries to identify cases.

"So we would want to increase the sophistication of the programme so that we begin to understand how people are shedding the virus, how infectious it is and exactly the molecular structure of this virus."

Meanwhile, leaflets about the swine flu outbreak and how to prevent its spread are to be delivered to every UK household within the next few days.

NHS 24 centres across the country have reported a 20% increase in the number of calls over the past few days, with people seeking advice.

First cases

Newly-weds Mr and Mrs Askham were confirmed as the first UK cases of the disease on Monday, after they returned from honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico.

They remain in Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, but are said to have responded well to anti-viral drugs. Their symptoms were always described as "mild" and did not give cause for clinical concern.

Their parents are among nine people who also received anti-virals after coming into close contact with the couple.

A further 14 people from across Scotland are also being investigated after displaying "mild" flu symptoms.

SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezing Symptoms mimic those of normal flu. In Mexico more than 150 people are thought to have died from the virus Good hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission WHO raises swine flu alert level Thomson cancels Mexico holidays Swine flu and travel insurance Q&A: Swine flu

They are in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lothian, Forth Valley, Grampian, Tayside and Lanarkshire areas.

Swine flu is believed to have claimed more than 150 lives in Mexico.

The World Health Organisation has raised its alert level to four - two steps short of declaring a pandemic.

In a media briefing in Edinburgh on Tuesday, Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said none of the 23 cases being investigated in Scotland had yet been confirmed as swine flu.

But she warned: "I would anticipate - absolutely - that we will have more cases under investigation over the next number of days and weeks.

"That is the nature of this. And it may be that more of these cases are confirmed as swine flu - we don't know that at this stage."

Ms Sturgeon will make a statement to the Scottish Parliament on the outbreak this afternoon.

It will last about 10 minutes, before MSPs will be allowed further time to ask questions.

Mr and Mrs Askham's parents said the couple were "shocked" at the positive test results.

Remain vigilant

In a statement, Ian and Pauline Askham and Linda and Brian Colston said: "We are delighted that they continue to make good progress and they remain in good spirits.

"They were both quite shocked that the result was positive for swine flu but are relieved that their symptoms have been very mild."

They added that it was an "incredibly difficult" time for them and they were "overwhelmed" by the attention.

Health officials are urging everyone to remain vigilant and anyone with flu symptoms who thinks they may have come into contact with the couple should call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

Mexico: 159 suspected deaths - 20 confirmed cases

US: 64 confirmed cases

Canada: 13 confirmed cases

New Zealand - 3 confirmed cases

UK, Spain, Israel: 2 confirmed cases each

Countries with suspected cases: Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Australia, and South Korea, and seven EU states

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