THE FIRST two cases in Europe of human-to-human transmission of the swine flu virus in the community were confirmed yesterday.
The infections, reported in Britain and Germany, were picked up by individuals who had never been to Mexico or other affected regions.
In the UK a 24-year-old man who played football with a Scotsman who contracted the virus while honeymooning in Mexico was found to be infected while a nurse in Germany was also confirmed as having picked up the virus from a patient who had been in Mexico.
The cases are the first in Europe of human-to-human transmission of the virus outside a family home. The first case of human-to-human transmission in Europe was reported earlier this week in Spain but in that case transmission took place within a household after a person returned from Mexico.
Last night the results of tests were still awaited to confirm the first probable case of swine flu in an adult male in the Republic. The man, who is recovering at home, had recently returned from Mexico. The test results, confirming his infection, are expected today.
Dr Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer at the Department of Health, told a press briefing at Government Buildings at tea time there were no further probable or confirmed cases in the Republic at this stage. Earlier, a woman told RTÉ’s Liveline she was in quarantine at home in Limerick awaiting her test results.
Meanwhile, Dr Kevin Kelleher, head of health protection at the Health Service Executive, has confirmed talks are taking place with pharmaceutical companies about securing additional stocks of antiviral drugs for the Republic in the event of a flu pandemic.
He said current batches of antivirals, which have been stockpiled to treat up to 47 per cent of the population, are valid until 2010/2011 and may even remain potent for longer.
In addition he said the HSE was planning to dispatch an information leaflet on swine flu, being printed this weekend, to all homes in the next week.
A flu information line for the public, which can be reached on 1800 94 1100, has been set up.
The virus was also detected for the first time yesterday in Denmark and Hong Kong. In Mexico, where the outbreak is believed to have started, businesses have closed for five days in a bid to contain its spread.
Some 11 countries have now officially reported 331 cases of influenza A(H1N1) to the World Health Organisation. Most have been reported in Mexico and the US.