Swine flu spreading in North Liverpool

by Karl Walderman. Published Mon 04 May 2009 08:51

Merseyside has suffered its second case of swine flu after a man in Sefton contracted the virus from his wife.

The couple are just one of the latest cases from across the UK to have been diagnosed with the potentially deadly bug originating from Mexico.

Both had recently returned from holidaying in the South American hotspot.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) are treating the pair at their home in North Liverpool with anti-viral medicine and claim they are doing well.

Family members and other people who had close contact with the couple have also been treated as a precaution.

More than 600 people across the UK have been tested for the H1N1 flu virus, which has killed more than 100 people in Mexico.

Symptoms of the human form of swine flu appears to be the same as standard, seasonal flu, and all cases in the UK have so far only been mild.

Travellers returning from Mexico have been told to monitor their health for seven days after arriving home but special precautions are not required.

The HPA are advising members of the public who experience any symptoms to phone their GP or call 0800 1513513 for recorded information about swine flu.