NHS worker awaits swine flu results

May 1 2009

An NHS worker is due to find out if he is Britain's first case of human-to-human transfer of swine flu.

Graeme Pacitti, 24, is said to have fallen ill after being in contact with Iain Askham who along with his wife Dawn were confirmed as Britain's first victims of the virus when they returned from honeymoon in Mexico.

Clerical worker Mr Pacitti, from Falkirk, was initially cleared but continued to show symptoms and further tests confirmed he was suffering from Type A flu.

More tests are expected to confirm if he is suffering from swine flu. He has received anti-viral drugs and has been treated at home.

His mother Lesley Pacitti told the Daily Mail: "He's been pretty much the same for the last few days. We are very unsure about what's happening, but we hope he will be better soon."

Mr Pacitti, who works at Falkirk Royal Infirmary, is now in quarantine at his home in the town along with his mother and other members of his family.

He plays football on the same six-a-side team as Mr Askham and fell ill after they went for a team night out at a local pub.

He told the Daily Mail: "It's just typical flu. I have a sore throat, a sore head and an upset stomach. I have been told to stay at home and my mother, her partner and my brother are also in the house."

Mr Pacitti's own contacts are now being followed up.

Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Obviously the circumstances around this individual do give us cause for concern - the symptoms don't give us cause for concern, but the circumstances give us cause for concern."