Northern Rock workers contract swine flu

Jul 2 2009 by Amy Hunt, The Journal

TWO workers from Northern Rock have caught swine flu.

The two staff members are off work but are said to be recovering well.

This week the total number of people in the North East who are have the illness rose to 45.

Jaqualyn Gill, senior communications manager for Northern Rock, said: “Two of our employees were diagnosed as having swine flu. Both are absent from work, recovering well and are expected to be back quite soon.

“The company is observing the recommended Health and Safety procedures.”

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said two new cases of the disease were confirmed in the North East on June 30, bringing the total of those diagnosed in the region to 45.

So far 6,929 people in the UK have been confirmed as having swine flu.

But the HPA said it could not comment on particular cases since the number of people diagnosed with the disease is now so high that officials are no longer keeping a detailed record of individual patients.

Last week we reported how a Year Eight pupil at St Joseph’s Middle School in Hexham, Northumberland, had come down with the illness.

A female worker at regional development agency One North East, who is the girl’s sister, was also diagnosed with swine flu.

The pair were said to have only mild symptoms and did not need hospital treatment, but family and friends were given anti-viral treatment as a precaution. It was thought the woman was diagnosed with the illness after returning from a trip to Spain and passed it onto her sister on her return. The pair were both suffering from the usual symptoms of flu, such as headaches, sickness, diarrhoea, nausea.

Close colleagues at One North East’s offices in Newburn Riverside, Newcastle, were being monitored for signs of the disease, but neither the office nor the school had to close.

A spokesman for One North East said last night that there had been no further cases diagnosed at the development agency since last week and that the woman concerned had now returned to work.

Health bosses have said anyone concerned about flu-like symptoms should phone their GP or NHS Direct for further advice.

Further information is also available on the swine flu information line on 0800 1513 513.