Swine flu rumours denied by the NHS

By llinham

Rumours that three cases of swine flu had been confirmed in central Somerset have been denied by the NHS.

Readers contacted the Central Somerset Gazette, concerned by rumours that three people in Street had been diagnosed with the illness.

A spokesman for the NHS said he suspected the rumours began after six people were sent home from Glastonbury festival with suspected swine flu.

The six people were taken to isolation facilities after being diagnosed.

Festival spokesman Christo Hird said: "Six unconnected people were taken off-site straight to an isolation unit, on the advice of the doctor, and from there they were taken home."

He added that the risk was no higher at the festival than anywhere else in the UK.

"I have asked the public health doctors with the Dorset and Somerset Health Protection Unit if they have had any confirmed cases of swine flu among residents in the Street area," said Paul Courtney from Somerset NHS.

"They have all said no, but do advise that there are often many suspected cases throughout the county at any one time. The majority of these turn out not to be swine flu."

He said the number of confirmed cases of swine flu among Somerset residents to date is seven.