Almost 500 hit by swine flu virus

The number of cases have jumped by a further 32 cases

The swine flu virus has infected almost 500 people in Scotland, latest figures on the pandemic have shown.

Officials have confirmed 35 new cases in the outbreak, taking the total number north of the border to 498.

Of the new cases, 32 are in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, and the Highland, Forth Valley and Grampian health boards have one new case each.

A total of 10 people are being treated in hospital and 175 possible cases are being investigated.

A further 61 new cases were confirmed in England, including 36 in the West Midlands.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "We continue to see a rise in cases of Influenza A (H1N1) around the world, and Scotland is not isolated from that.

"Given the number of cases being confirmed in the West Midlands, there is an indication that the area is experiencing a level of spread similar to what we are seeing in Scotland.

"We remain one of the best-prepared countries in the world and, as in every other country, the vast majority of people contracting the virus are experiencing relatively mild symptoms."

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