Baby boy latest swine flu victim

Six new cases, including a one-year-old baby boy and a Russian teenager, tested positive for swine flu yesterday.

The 13-year-old Russian girl and a 47-year-old woman live in Malta while the other four new cases were in Gozo. Malta now has a total of 75 swine flu cases. Fifty-seven of these are still receiving treatment.

None of the new cases was travel related, meaning the H1N1 virus that causes the so-called swine flu was transmitted locally.

Four more people came out of quarantine yesterday, bringing the total number of cured cases to 18.

Last Thursday, nine new cases of swine flu were reported, including a 79-year-old woman. All the new cases were in Gozo.

In line with a new approach to the illness announced last Wednesday, only vulnerable groups are being tested, such as elderly people, pregnant women and children.

Those showing flu symptoms were immediately prescribed the antiviral Tamiflu.

The Health Department once again appealed for people who experience any flu symptoms to stay at home and call the family doctor.