Fourth case of swine flu found in man recently in New York

A FOURTH case of swine flu has been confirmed in the Republic, according to the Department of Health.

Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said yesterday the latest person to test positive for the virus was a man from the south who had recently returned from New York.

Dr Holohan said the patient was aware of his condition and was being treated at his home. All necessary public health protection measures to minimise the spread of the virus had been taken.

The case was unconnected with the three previous cases of influenza type A (H1N1) confirmed in the Republic, although the last two cases also involved people returning from New York.

The Department of Health said it expected additional cases of the virus, which has killed 115 people worldwide.

In order to help minimise the extent of the outbreak, people were again warned to take personal protection measures such as using and disposing of tissues and thoroughly washing hands.

The Department also urged people who have recently visited an affected area and fallen ill with flu-like symptoms to contact their GP by telephone but not turn up at a surgery or AE unit.

The World Health Organisation confirmed yesterday there were now 15,920 reported cases of swine flu in 57 countries.

The first case in the Republic, confirmed at the beginning of last month, involved a young man who had recently returned from Mexico. He was treated with the antiviral drug Tamiflu and remained in quarantine at home until he recovered.

US companies have begun preliminary work on a vaccine for the new H1N1 flu and should begin clinical trials in the coming months, US health official said last week. However, a vaccine is not expected to be ready for widespread use until October.

Another 15 cases of the virus were confirmed in Britain yesterday, bringing the UK total to 244, the Health Protection Agency said.

Parents of pupils at Eton College, Berkshire, are to receive a letter from health officials stating there are 32 suspected cases of swine flu at the school. The school, which was attended by princes William and Harry, said on Thursday it would close for a week after a 13-year-old pupil tested positive for the illness.

Additional reporting by PA