Two people at a North Lanarkshire hospital have tested positive for swine flu.

The couple, believed to be from Falkirk, are being treated at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon confirmed on Monday night the pair tested positive for the virus. She also revealed that seven people who had come into contact with the two had begun to display mild flu-like symptoms.

Ms Sturgeon said: "I can confirm that tests have demonstrated conclusively that the two Scottish cases of suspected swine flu are positive.

"However, I am pleased to say both patients are recovering well.

"In addition, there are currently a further seven people among the 22 who have been in contact with the two infected people, who have now developed mild symptoms and are being appropriately cared for.

"I would reiterate that the threat to the public remains low and that the precautionary actions we have taken over the last two days have been important in allowing us to respond appropriately and give us the best prospect of disrupting the spread of the virus.

"However, this is a developing situation which we continue to monitor very closely, in conjunction with our colleagues in other parts of the UK and the World Health Organisation.

"We remain very encouraged by the fact that, outside Mexico, everyone who has contracted swine flu has experienced mild symptoms only."

As part of its pandemic flu preparations, the Scottish Government has significant stockpiles of two antiviral drugs - Tamiflu and Relenza - both of which have been effective in treating cases of the H1N1 strain of swine flu in other countries. People are advised to wash their hands and cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing.

The couple in Monklands Hospital contacted authorities after returning from a trip to Mexico and suffering flu-like symptoms. They had not been thought to have visited the areas in Mexico affected by the outbreak.

Twenty-two people the pair have been in contact with were traced and provided with information packs and the prophylaxis Tamiflu drug. However, seven from that group are now also displaying symptoms.

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The virus originated in Mexico, which has seen 149 people killed and almost 2,000 left ill.

Cases have also been reported in the US and New Zealand. Spain originally confirmed Europe's first case of the illness. 

In the UK, a Canadian woman is being treated for suspected swine flu in Sale, near Manchester. Earlier on Monday, a man from Northamptonshire was given the all-clear following tests after he also returned from Mexico with similar symptoms.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has updated its classification of the outbreaks from phase three to phase four. "Phase three" indicates sporadic instances of the illness amongst humans. "Phase four" denotes evidence of human-to-human transmission and signs of community-level outbreaks.

A WHO statement said: "The change to a higher phase of pandemic alert indicates that the likelihood of a pandemic has increased, but not that a pandemic is inevitable."

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is not advising Brits to avoid travelling to Mexico. However, travellers are warned to avoid large crowds and using the subway.

Anyone who develops flu-like symptoms or who has recently returned from one of the affected areas and is worried about their health should contact NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 or their GP.