FOUR people in East and North Herts have today (Wednesday) been confirmed as having swine flu. Three men and a young person have been given anti-viral drugs and are responding well to treatment. A young person in West Herts has also been confirmed as havi
FOUR people in East and North Herts have today (Wednesday) been confirmed as having swine flu.
Three men and a young person have been given anti-viral drugs and are responding well to treatment.
A young person in West Herts has also been confirmed as having swine flu today, as has a man from Luton - the first confirmed case in Bedfordshire.
The total number of cases in Hertfordshire now stands at 15.
Two weeks ago, a family of three in Stevenage tested positive for the H1N1 virus, having recently travelled back to the UK from a country affected by swine flu.
The following day, NHS East and North Hertfordshire confirmed that a young person in North Herts had also contracted the virus. The youngster attends school outside of the county.
Two men and a woman from West Herts, a young person from East Herts, and a woman and a young person from the Dacorum area also have swine flu.
Dr Jane Halpin, Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire, said: "These new cases of swine flu are not connected to the cases previously announced, but they do not come as a surprise given the pattern of spread of this new strain of flu.
"The NHS in Hertfordshire continues to monitor the situation carefully and our GPs remain vigilant to any patients reporting flu-like symptoms.
"We have very detailed plans in place to manage any more widespread transmission of swine flu.
"We can all take some simple steps to help prevent colds and flu spreading. Always use a tissue to catch your sneezes, throw away used tissues where germs can linger and regularly wash your hands."
There are currently 1,582 confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK.
People who have recently travelled to Mexico, the US, or any other country affected by swine flu, and are developing flu-like symptoms, should stay at home and phone their GP or contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhs.uk
For the latest information on swine flu, call 0800 1 153 153.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here