Three more patients confirmed with swine flu

Three more people in the UK have been confirmed as having swine flu today – bringing the total to 71 cases.

The most recent cases were confirmed as two in London and one in the east of England.

There are currently 339 possible diagnoses under investigation in the UK, said the Health Protection Agency (HPA).

The HPA offered the following advice to help reduce the transmission of the virus:

Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.

Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.

Maintaining good basic hygiene – for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.

Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.

Making sure your children follow this advice.

Where antivirals are prescribed, it is important that the specified course of treatment is followed and completed – even though in some cases this medication may cause nausea.