The government have issued a full statement tonight, saying that the first people who were confirmed with the H1N1 Influenza A are nearly completely cured. This confirms the fact that although we should still be vigilant, so far no case that has been confirmed has had any complications, the statement said.

From tests conducted this morning 3 people, aged 22, 23 and 24 years, all males were also confirmed as positive. These three people are from Gharb, they are believed to have visited the Gharb feast with the girl who was confirmed as positive in Gharb yesterday evening.

The Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly and Community Care, Mario Galea. said that there is no indication that the four people travelled away from Gharb, but there are suspicions that there may be other groups of people in Gharb who may have contracted the virus. The Parliamentary Secretary added the the necessary investigations were being carried out.

Meanwhile, further tests have confirmed that 2 more persons in Malta have tested positive for influenza A H1N1. These are a female Maltese, 32 years of age, who had contact with one of the first cases that were found, and a young Maltese, aged 16, who had recently returned from the United Kingdom.

This means that up to now a total of 24 persons have been confirmed to have the influenza A H1N1 virus.

The Parliamentary Secretary, Mario Galea, said that there is no need to panic, and to take the necessary precautions as already advised.

He also said that the Parliamentary Secretariat for the Elderly and Community Care had said that a majority of those who called the helpline asked whether they could eat pork. In fact this can be done and is quite safe, provided that the pork is cooked thoroughly.

Anyone who is currently feeling any of the symptoms is urged not to go to hospital emergency departments or clinics, instead they should stay at home and contact a doctor, or contact the swine flu helpline on 21324086.

The World Health Organisations comprehensive advisory on how best to protect ourselves from becoming infected and what to do if we think we have caught the virus can be viewed by clicking this link.

The WHO advisory also answers a number of questions that may arise during the course of this current pandemic.

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