Guernsey confirms first swine flu case
Updated on 22 June 2009
Guernsey has confirmed its first case of swine flu.
The case comes after the the number of UK cases of swine flu rose by 204, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
Of those, 89 were in the West Midlands, the region worst affected by the outbreak with 1,095 confirmed cases.
In London, there are 78 new cases, taking the total in the capital to 528, while there were 16 in the South East, ten in the East of England, nine in the East Midlands, and two in Yorkshire and Humber.
Added to the 60 cases confirmed in Scotland on Sunday, it takes the total number of confirmed cases in the UK to 2,773 since April.
The Guernsey man is thought to have caught the virus from a visitor from the Americas who was on the island for a short time, according to health officials.
The man had already returned to work by the time his diagnosis came through and his case was only recognised because the island had stepped up surveillance of flu-like illnesses.
People who have been in contact with the patient have been treated for the virus.
Dr Stephen Bridgman, the island's director of public health, said: "I remind everyone that the current outbreak of this virus appears to be moderate and many people are not getting a severe illness.
"Generally fit and well people seem to be getting a flu-like illness and getting over it relatively quickly, though we are not complacent."
Dr Bridgman added: "We are likely to see more cases in Guernsey spread through respiratory droplets, so the need for following good hygiene practices, including coughing and sneezing into a tissue, disposal of tissues and keeping surfaces clean, remains important.
"We are not complacent and will continue to monitor the situation with the UK and international authorities."
Health authorities on the island are working with the UK Government on obtaining stocks of a swine flu vaccine, once it is developed.
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