Scotland is stepping up its swine flu communications efforts amid an increase in the number of queries from the public, as world health experts said an influenza pandemic was "imminent".

Further test results were expected on Thursday for some of the 32 suspected swine flu cases now identified in Scotland. Two people from a total of 62 suspected inquiries in Scotland have been infected by the H1N1 strain of the virus.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said it was encouraging that 15 other cases had returned negative results for the virus and that the Scottish Government's "top priority" was to disrupt the spread of infection. The subject will likely attract the attention of MSPs during First Minister's Questions, the first time Alex Salmond has taken the floor of Holyrood to discuss the issue since the outbreak hit Scotland. (Watch FMQs at www.stv.tv/politics – live at 12pm)

A dedicated swine flu information line offering advice on the virus has been established and will be active from later in the afternoon. Members of the public calling the NHS 24 line (08454 24 24 24) will be given the option of being put through to a dedicated team dealing with the virus.

Ms Sturgeon said: "This line will be an easy way for people to keep abreast of the situation. Knowledge is power. Keeping everyone informed will help people to take appropriate steps to protect themselves as well as reassuring them about the level of risk."

The government said around eight per cent of calls currently received by NHS 24 were related to swine flu.

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There have been no additional confirmed cases of swine flu in Scotland since newlyweds Iain and Dawn Askham from Polmont, near Falkirk, became the UK's first two known cases of the disease on Monday. Since then, three people in England have become infected with the virus.

Ms Sturgeon said nine out of ten people who had close contact with the Askhams have tested negative. The results of the other person were still awaited and they were among a total of 32 Scottish cases under investigation.

The 32 figure includes 24 new suspected cases revealed on Wednesday. The additional cases cover the following Scottish health boards: Ayrshire and Arran, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Grampian, Lanarkshire, Highland and Lothian areas.

"Let me stress that these are cases being treated and investigated on a precautionary basis," Ms Sturgeon noted. "They are not confirmed swine flu cases."

Scottish health teams have reviewed 45 suspected cases since the weekend; other cases were declassified as symptoms that did not meet the criteria of swine flu.

The Askhams were responding well to treatment, according to Ms Sturgeon, who spoke with Iain Askham on the telephone on Wednesday. The Polmont couple remain in isolation at a North Lanarkshire hospital.

The pandemic alert level of the World Health Organisation (WHO) was raised on Wednesday night to phase five on a six-phase scale amid the outbreak of the virus. This indicates that the disease is able to spread easily between humans.

Human-to-human transmission has been seen in Spain and Mexico, the epicentre for the health scare. Nine countries have reported a total of 148 positive test results for the virus. The US reported its first death, a 23-month-old boy in Texas.

Scotland's chief medical officer Dr Harry Burns said: "Phase five intensifies activities under way in Scotland which have already been recognised by the WHO as being effective and comprehensive.

"The NHS, in partnership with other organisations such as local authorities, is already dealing vigorously with this outbreak and we are activating our plans - developed over a number of years - to protect the public."

A stockpile of anti-viral drugs had been established and Ms Sturgeon said: "We have sufficient doses available to us to treat half the population if necessary."

Meanwhile, a 12-year-old girl who was on the same flight from Mexico as the Askhams, has been diagnosed with swine flu. The Year 7 pupil from Paignton in Devon fell ill after returning from her holiday. Her school has been closed as a precaution. She and two adults were being treated after showing mild symptoms of the illness.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office are continuing to advise "against all but essential travel to Mexico".
 

If you or someone you know has been directly affected by the swine flu outbreak, please contact us at stvnews@stv.tv

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