Latest swine flu update from the World Health Organisation

Another case of swine flu has been confirmed, taking the UK total to 28, as leaflets about the virus are distributed to households. The leaflets include guidance on what people should do to protect themselves against the disease, what to do if they think they have the symptoms, and what officials are doing to prepare for it becoming more widespread. In England, 24 people have the disease while there are four cases in Scotland - the latest is a 21-year-old woman from the Grampian area after a suspected case in Fife turned out to be negative. But Scotland's Health Secretary Nichola Sturgeon said there are a further two possible cases who were staff on a Flybe flight from Birmingham to Glasgow. In England, the most recent case is in the South East and is "associated with travel to Mexico", according to a Department of Health spokesman. Meanwhile, as GCSE exams begin across the UK, five schools - three in London, one in Devon and one in Gloucestershire - are shut because of the outbreak. Exam regulator Ofqual will meet on Thursday to discuss the situation. Alleyn's School in Dulwich, southeast London, closed after five Year 7 pupils were diagnosed on Sunday. It is rescheduling A-level exams in art, biology and foreign languages for next week. Paignton Community and Sports College in Devon was one of the first to close its doors after a 12-year-old girl contracted the disease after holidaying in Mexico. A statement on the school's website said: "The college is in contact with the examination boards regarding GCSE and post-16 exams which will be taking place shortly to ask for special consideration to be given to Paignton Community and Sports College in regard to the loss of six-and-a-half days' education and the anxiety and stress our pupils are under at this time." Downend School in South Gloucestershire said "no examinations will take place either at Downend or be relocated elsewhere for the closure period". Alternative arrangements are being made. And South Hampstead High School in northwest London said arrangements are also being made for exams while the Dolphin School in Battersea, south London, a private preparatory school, has shut for a few days after two of its pupils fell ill with the virus. The Independent Schools Council (ISC) has also issued guidance to more than 1,200 private schools, suggesting they consider setting up "quarantine rooms" for pupils suspected of having the virus. ISC lawyers Veale Wasbrough also say parents should not have fees refunded if their child's school is affected. Elsewhere, the Hindu Forum of Britain issued guidelines aimed at those gathering for Hindu rituals and services in temples and community centres. Secretary-general Ramesh Kallidai said: "Faith communities can play a major role in any pandemic of this nature, and we wish to make sure that Hindus in UK are prepared and ready to face this threat." On Monday, World Health Organisation (WHO) spokesman Dick Thompson said the agency might raise its pandemic level from five to its highest alert, level six. It has since said there are almost 1,500 confirmed cases worldwide. Thirty people have died. The DoH's swine flu information line is 0800 1513 513.

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ITN | May 5, 2009

Tags:. .faith. .stress. .distributed. .households. .exams