SWINE flu has hit Burnham and Highbridge - but local health experts are advising people not to panic.

Highbridge Medical Centre yesterday reported several new confirmed cases of the virus and said the patients have been treated with the Tamiflu vaccine.

A year eight pupil at King Alfred School in Highbridge has also been diagnosed with the virus and there are two other suspected cases, at St John's School and Berrow Primary School, but all schools remain open.

Head teacher at King Alfred Keith Diffey said: “We have sent a letter home with children giving advice from the Health Protection Agency.”

Practice manager at the Highbridge Medical Centre Chris Edwards said people who think they have swine flu are being asked to stay at home and call the surgery to discuss their symptoms.

He added: “If swine flu is suspected we prescribe Tamiflu as an anti-viral.

“We ask that a 'flu-friend' - someone who does not display any symptoms - collects the prescription and takes it to Boots in Burnham where they can collect the Tamiflu.”

An isolation room has also been set up for babies aged under one with symptoms, while patients wanting information about swine flu should call NHS Direct.

Swine flu has been spreading across the globe since the first outbreak in March while the total death toll in the UK has risen to 17 in the last week.

NHS Somerset spokesman Paul Courtney said: “If someone has a cold of flu it makes sense to keep them at home to recover.”

Swine flu advice:

· Swine flu symptoms include a sudden fever or cough, a headache, tiredness, chills, aching muscles, diarrhoea, sore throat, sneezing or loss of appetite

· If you think you think you may have swine flu, stay at home and call your GP

· If swine flu is confirmed, ask a healthy friend or relative to visit your GP to pick up a document entitling you to antiviral medication

· They will then need to pick the medication up at a collection point your GP will advise on

· For more information call NHS direct on 0845-4647