Number of UK flu cases reaches 13

UK health chiefs are waiting for the results of hundreds of tests for swine flu after the tally of confirmed cases hit 13.

UK health chiefs are waiting for the results of hundreds of tests for swine flu after the tally of confirmed cases hit 13.

Yesterday the Department of Health announced four new cases in the South West, South East, North East and Scotland.

Two of the new cases involved people who fell ill without travelling to Mexico.

Barry Greatorex (42) from Chipping Sodbury, south Gloucestershire, has been quarantined to his home with wife Fran (46) and son Jamie (13) but is said to be doing well.

Mrs Greatorex told The Sun newspaper: "I'm just worried for other people."

It is thought that Mr Greatorex caught the virus last week from a work mate who had visited Mexico.

Mr Greatorex and his family have been given Tamiflu and he is responding well.

A spokesman for NHS South West confirmed today that Mr Greatorex had no connection with the 12-year-old girl who has contracted swine flu in nearby Downend.

"He has mild cold-like symptoms," she said.

"The HPA are looking at all the circumstances surrounding the man and who he has had contact with."

The other case was Graeme Pacitti, 24, from Polmont, near Falkirk.

He contracted the disease after coming into contact with Iain Askham, who fell ill after his honeymoon in Mexico.

Sir Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer, said: "The first non-imported cases of swine flu have been confirmed in England and Scotland.

"The infection appears to have been acquired by person-to-person spread within the United Kingdom. Until now cases were confined to people who had themselves recently come back from Mexico."

Cases have now been confirmed in Newcastle, Scotland, Merseyside, Devon, Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and London. All those in the UK who have contracted the disease appear to be suffering mild symptoms.

PA