Ninth swine flu case from travel

Ninth swine flu case from travel

Six more possible cases are under investigation, the Public Health Agency said.

The latest case relates to travel outside the UK and does not involve a school, workplace or other setting in Northern Ireland, the PHA added.

The sufferer has mild symptoms and is at home and taking antiviral treatment.

The patient has asked the authorities to ensure no identity details are revealed. Anyone who has been in close contact is being followed up by the agency.

Director for Public Health Dr Carolyn Harper said: "People should not be alarmed by this further case and we should expect to see more over the next few days and weeks.

"That has been the pattern in other countries and we are planning for a similar picture here.

"We have good systems in place, though, to respond to any cases that appear."

The PHA said the other eight cases in Northern Ireland have either recovered or were doing well.

The UK is now home to the highest number of confirmed cases in Europe.

The national total now stands at 1,461 patients since April 2009.

This number does not include clinically diagnosed cases in Scotland where the virus has spread particularly fast. These are yet to be confirmed.