Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has addressed the Scottish Parliament, and confirmed that eight of those who came into contact with the couple suffering from swine flu are in the clear. One other person is awaiting the results of their tests.

She also said that the two confirmed cases - Iain and Dawn Askham - are both continuing to recover well in hospital. The couple are currently still receiving treatment at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie.

Nine of those who were in contact with them had been displaying mild symptoms, she confirmed that eight of these had tested negative for influenza, with one test outstanding.

She said that the test results suggest that as as far as is known, they have managed to prevent the spread of infection in Scotland.

Of the other 14 cases across Scotland, five of these are also negative, a further two have been declassified and the other seven are awaiting their results

She continued, saying that as of 10am Wednesday, a further 24 cases are now under investigation. All had travel connections with affected areas.  The 24 further cases under investigation are in the  Ayrshire and Arran, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Grampian, Lanarkshire, Highland and Lothian areas.

It means that there are now a total of 32 cases under investigation, and are being treated on a precautionary basis.

Meanwhile, a 12-year-old girl who was on the same flight from Mexico as the Askhams, has been diagnosed with swine flu.

The Prime Minister told the House of Commons this morning that the youngster, from Torbay in Devon, along with adults from London and Birmingham have been confirmed as suffering from swine flu. All three had recently travelled from Mexico, and were displaying mild symptoms and responding to treatment.

==================================================

With some organisations issuing contradictory advice and the word "possible pandemic" looming over the nation’s headlines, STV’s Bernard Ponsonby examines the situation.

VIDEO: Swine flu examined in detail

==================================================

Other countries with confirmed cases of swine flu are Mexico, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Austria, Spain and Israel. In the US, government officials said swine flu killed a 23-month-old child in Texas, the first death reported outside Mexico.

Ms Sturgeon told MSPs that the Scottish Government's pandemic flu framework has been in place since November 2007 and all NHS Boards have their own plans in place. She added that Scotland has sufficient stockpiles of two antiviral drugs - Tamiflu and Relenza - to treat 50% of the population, and this high level of cover places Scotland among the best-equipped countries in the world.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office are continuing to advise "against all but essential travel to Mexico".

RESOURCES

Virus-stricken Scots honeymoon couple 'shocked' by test results

Anti-viral drugs at the ready in battle against swine flu

World Health Organisation: Swine flu facts

Swine flu - questions and answers

Swine flu - a timeline

Scottish Health Secretary statement to parliament

STV news will be streaming an update from the Health Secretary at stv.tv/news