Social worker is hit by swine flu

Jun 26 2009 by Lorraine Howard, Irvine Herald

A NORTH Ayrshire Council social worker has contracted swine flu and four others are being tested.

The woman, unnamed, has been admitted to Brooksby Hospital in Largs where she lives.

This week, a spokeswoman for North Ayrshire Council said: “I can confirm one member of staff, a female, has been confirmed as having swine flu.

“A second employee is currently being tested and three other employees are being treated with Tamiflu but displaying no flu-like symptoms.”

“The council has taken all precautions to minimise risk to existing staff.”

That brings the total confirmed cases in Ayrshire and Arran up to eight, with three other patients undergoing tests to find out if they have contracted the disease.

In Scotland, there are now 414 reported cases being tested.

Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I would reiterate that the risk to the general public from this virus remains low and we can all play our part in slowing the spread by following simple hygiene procedures, like washing your hands and using tissues when coughing or sneezing.

“The excellent response from our public health teams means new cases of the virus are being detected quickly.

“While this means we are still seeing relatively large increases in the number of confirmed cases, these remain confined for the most part to particular areas and many health boards are not reporting any rise in cases.”

Every Scots child could be vaccinated against swine flu by the end of the year as health bosses are understood to be planning a mass vaccination programme.

It follows international evidence which suggests youngsters are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the virus.

The first phase of a mass immunisation programme is expected to start when vaccine is available, probably by the start of winter.