A case of swine flu in prison has been contained and the health authorities have said there is no cause for alarm.

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Department director Charmaine Gauci said the sick prisoner, a man under 30, has been placed in isolation to avoid infecting others.

He is being treated with antivirals, which have shown to lead to a speedier recovery, after it was confirmed he was suffering from influenza H1N1.

Dr Gauci said the prison population or the guards did not need to be given preventive treatment for swine flu. Prophylactic treatment can be given to those who are exposed.

However, Dr Gauci said that apart from the fact that the patient had been isolated, guards did not need to spend much time with the sick prisoner or be in close proximity to him. The health authorities have long recommended that people stay at least one metre away from anyone who is sick to avoid catching the flu.

Around 380 people have been confirmed with swine flu in Malta.

Although the authorities are not testing all those who fall ill with swine flu-like symptoms, the inmate was tested because he is within a closed community. She said the same would be done in other communities, like homes for the elderly, if it is suspected that one person is sick with swine flu.

The authorities are bracing themselves for an increase in swine flu cases as the weather starts getting cooler, people congregate in closed areas and children go back to school.