Fourth Scots swine flu confirmed

The new case has no connection to the previous three Timeline of swine flu in Scotland

A fourth case of swine flu has been confirmed in Scotland.

The man, who lives in the Ayrshire and Arran health board area, is thought to have picked up the virus in Texas and has no connection to the other cases.

He travelled from the USA to Birmingham on Monday, and then on to Glasgow airport on Thursday, by which time he was showing symptoms of the virus.

Health officials advised anyone who travelled to Glasgow on Flybe flight BE7096 on Thursday to contact the NHS.

Close contacts

Health Protection Scotland said it had not been possible to contact all the passengers on the flight.

A statement said "some passengers on this flight may be at a low risk of infection with the H1N1 virus".

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "This person had travelled to an affected area of the United States and I would like to stress that we still have only one confirmed case of person-to-person spread in Scotland.

"The risk to the general public from this strain of influenza is therefore very low and I would like to remind people to remain calm and continue taking sensible hygiene precautions."

A total of 18 cases have now been confirmed in the UK.

A further 16 possible cases are still under investigation in Scotland.

None of the three previously confirmed cases were giving any cause for concern.

Iain and Dawn Askham tested positive after their honeymoon in Mexico

Meanwhile, the Scottish Government confirmed that it had been aware that a swine flu sufferer attended a concert in Edinburgh days before he was treated for the virus.

Iain Askham, from Polmont near Falkirk, was, along with wife Dawn, the first UK case of swine flu to be identified.

He was among the crowd at the 1,500 capacity Picture House to see rock band Doves on 23 April, two days after he returned from his honeymoon in Mexico.

The Scottish Government said this would not be classed as "close contact".

Mr Askham returned from Cancun on Tuesday 21 April.

He attended the concert on the Thursday and visited a doctor about his flu symptoms on Saturday 25 April.

Mr Askham and his wife were taken to Monklands Hospital in North Lanarkshire, where swine flu was confirmed on Monday.

A spokesman said: "In line with Health Protection Scotland guidance, close contacts are followed up whenever any probable or confirmed cases are identified, to offer advice and where appropriate anti-virals.

"We are aware that Mr Askham did attend a concert on 23 April - before he was being treated - but this would not be classed as close contact.

"The risk of spread to others who were around him is low, and it is important to stress that the risk to public health in Scotland remains low."

Graeme Pacitti, 24, a friend of Mr Askham and his new wife, was the third confirmed case of swine flu in Scotland.

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