Published: Monday, 18th May, 2009 11:58am

Postie tested for swine flu

A POSTMAN in Inverclyde is being tested for swine flu and a 16-year-old girl is the latest probable case of the virus in Scotland.

Results of tests on the postman, based in Greenock, have yet to be released.

But two students, one from James Watt College"s Finnart Street campus, the other based at the Waterfront, who were under investigation have now tested negative.

Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the circumstances surrounding the case of the 16-year-old girl are being investigated.

She said: 'We have no obvious connection between this individual and the confirmed or probable cases in Greenock. If no link emerges, it could be the first evidence of "community transmission".

The total number of confirmed cases in Scotland remains at five. Ms Sturgeon told a briefing in Edinburgh there are 14 possible cases across the country, seven of them travel-related.

The breakdown of possible cases by health boards is one case in Ayrshire and Arran, two in Fife, six in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, two in the Highlands and three in the Lothians.

James Watt College assistant principal Alistair Shaw said: 'We are taking strict advice from the public health authority which is managing the situation. The health and safety of our students and staff is our utmost priority.'

A spokesman for the Royal Mail said: 'A postman is currently being tested as a precaution and we are following official advice.'

The postman is based at the Greenock Delivery Office in Knowe Road, pictured above.

On Tuesday night Ravenscraig Primary and Ladybird Pre-5 Centre in the town were closed by education chiefs after two boys, aged five and three, were found to be probable cases of the virus.

The school is the first closure in Scotland prompted by the flu alert and the nursery closed yesterday morning.

The five-year-old boy"s mother, 45, has also been classed as a probable case.

Along with the three-year-old child, they are believed to be linked to a 19-year-old victim in Greenock who was confirmed with the virus at the weekend.

Four other contacts of the boy"s mother are showing symptoms and are being classed as possible cases, according to Ms Sturgeon.

The boy also attended an after-school club where Ms Sturgeon said 17 children are being treated with Tamiflu. They are being asked not to return to the after-school club or to their schools for seven days.

Older children and staff in the Ladybird nursery who have had contact with the three-year-old child will be offered Tamiflu.