Swine flu alert family passed fit

A family thought to be infected with swine flu has been passed fit by doctors.

Tony and Candia McCormick, from Kingsholm, were given the all clear after an anxious wait which saw them confined to their home for almost 48 hours.

The alarm was raised when the pair noticed cold symptoms on Monday shortly after arriving home from Mexico where their band had been due to play a gig.

Doctors advised them to stay at home yesterday until swab tests could be analysed in Bristol overnight.

Their children, Carmen, four, and Leon, 11, were asked to stay away from school as a precaution.

But the family was relieved today to learn that the results had come through negative.

Mr McCormick, 48, who plays the guitar in a band, said: "Both my wife and I are pleased to report that our test results were negative and I am recovering well from my mild illness.

“Based on our experience we think it is important that people remain calm."

Mr and Mrs McCormick were due to play a gig with their band, Inkubus Sukkubus, in Mexico.

But the concert was cancelled by the authorities who were keen to curb the spread of the disease which has claimed more than 150 lives.

Mr McCormick added: "We were not aware of what was going on until last Friday when we saw Mexicans everywhere wearing face-masks, and armed police breaking up large groups of people.

"It was alarming but we were not aware of the extent of the disease's impact."

The first two British cases were confirmed on Monday and more suspected infections emerged across the UK throughout yesterday.

Leading health officials warned yesterday that 40% of Britain's population could be infected with swine flu within the next six months if the country was hit by a pandemic.

But Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Britain was "among the best prepared countries in the world" and added the Government was taking "all the urgent action that is necessary" to help prevent the spread of the virus.

The Government's Cobra emergencies committee, involving both Mr Brown and Health Secretary Alan Johnson, met to discuss the issue as Britons were warned to avoid all but essential travel to Mexico.