UK swine flu cases increase to 85

According to the HPA, the four new cases in England are all children from the London region who have come into contact with previous cases.

A further three cases have been identified in the Greenock area of Scotland, also linked to previously identified cases.

The HPA added that a further 271 suspected cases are under laboratory investigation in the UK and all symptomatic patients are recovering at home.

A Department of Health spokesperson said the government would continue with its current containment strategy for the time being.

‘’The localised cases of swine flu found in the UK have so far been mild, and our strategy of containing the spread with anti-virals appears to have been effective in reducing symptoms and preventing further spread of infection,’ he said.

’But we must not be complacent – it is right to prepare for the possibility of a global pandemic,’ he added.

Health secretary Alan Johnson announced yesterday that agreements had been signed between the government and vaccine manufacturers to secure supplies of up to 90 million doses of pre-pandemic H1N1 vaccine.

’The UK’s arrangements are continuing to ensure that we are well-placed to deal with this new infection,’ he said.

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