Swine flu hits another 14 in UK

The number of people confirmed with swine flu in the UK has passed the 100 mark after 14 more cases were identified, the Health Protection Agency said.

Six adults and eight children were diagnosed in London, the south east and the east of England. The number of confirmed cases in the UK is now 101.

Eleven of the latest cases involved patients who were contacts of previously confirmed cases. Two were returning travellers. The Foreign Office has updated its advice, clearing travel to Mexico, after a fall in the number of new swine flu cases.

A spokesman said: "This change follows a decline in new cases of swine flu reported in Mexico since a peak on April 26 and takes into account information and advice from a variety of sources, including the UK Health Protection Agency."

Tests on the virus have suggested the strain is less virulent than first feared and the World Health Organisation is not recommending any global travel restrictions.

Nonetheless the Government on Friday signed contracts for up to 90 million doses of a pre-pandemic swine flu vaccine.

The 10 new cases in London confirmed today takes the total number in the capital to 57.

Schools including Blackheath Preparatory School in Greenwich, Hampton School in Richmond, Barnes Primary School in Richmond, Eaton Square nursery in Westminster and Lady Eleanor Holles school, in Hampton, south west London, have been closed.

In Mexico more than 60 people have died as a result of the H1N1 virus, with most cases reported in Mexico City.

Around the world, 39 countries have reported more than 8,400 cases of infection.

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said tonight a three-year-old boy from Greenock, Inverclyde, had tested positive bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Scotland to nine.

She said: "Tests have confirmed one new case as positive for the H1N1 flu, bringing the total to nine across Scotland.

"There are now five confirmed cases in the Greenock area, three in Forth Valley and one case in Ayrshire and Arran."