Angus friends back from sun with swine flu
Six from Montrose area diagnosed with virus after week’s break in Ibiza
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A group of Angus friends have been diagnosed with swine flu after a holiday in Ibiza.
Two of the group of nine, all from the Montrose area, began to show symptoms during their week’s break to Cala d’en Bou.
Since returning last Wednesday, four more have started treatment with antibiotics.
Robert Urquhart, 19, of Rosemount Place, Montrose, was one of the first in the party to come down with the virus.
He said yesterday he thought he had developed normal flu symptoms.
“We’d flown out on the 17th and the following Monday night we went out clubbing,” he said.
“My friend, Daniel Begg, was feeling unwell before we went but we were only in the club for about 10 minutes before we felt that we couldn’t stand, couldn’t walk and were both feeling quite ill. We just went back to the hotel.
“By the time we got back home everyone else was starting to show symptoms and six of us have come down with it.”
On the group’s flight back to Scotland, 40 of the 60 passengers told cabin crew they felt ill.
Mr Urquhart was diagnosed with the H1N1 virus after visiting his doctor when he arrived home.
“I was tested on Wednesday and was told on Friday morning. I wasn’t too shocked and have just taken it in my stride.”
The trainee accountant said he had been told to take time off work, stay at home and avoid direct contact with people.
His parents and two sisters have also been prescribed antibiotics as a precaution and have also been off work.
He added: “I finished my tablets yesterday and have been told that if I’m not showing any symptoms, Saturday will be the day of freedom.”
The Scottish Government said yesterday there were 57 new laboratory-confirmed cases across Scotland, with one new case in Tayside, bringing the total to 1,217.
The majority, 43, are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
A further eight people were diagnosed in Lanarkshire, three in Forth Valley, and one in Grampian and the Lothians.
Only two of the new cases are travel-related and six people with the virus remain in hospital.
The latest diagnosis bring the total number of cases in Tayside to 20.
Dr Drew Walker, the authority’s public health director, said: “Our specialist health protection team are currently working seven days a week to assess all the cases and their contacts and take any action necessary.”
NHS Grampian reported last night that six people in the area had now been confirmed as having H1N1.
The clinical condition of the six confirmed cases is not giving any cause for concern.
Medical director Dr Roelf Dijkhuizen said: “It is reassuring that we are not seeing a significant increase in the number of confirmed cases in Grampian, but although we do not have as many cases as other areas, we are not complacent – we are continuing to plan and prepare for an influenza pandemic.”
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