The individual in Newcastle shares a house with two university students

A case of swine flu has been confirmed in a woman sharing a house with three students in Newcastle.

Newcastle University registrar Dr John Hogan said the woman had recently returned from Mexico.

He said the students had been given anti-viral drugs. The woman is not a student or university staff member.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it brought the number of confirmed UK cases to eight. The two other most recently confirmed cases are in London.

The HPA said all had mild symptoms and were responding to treatment at home.

'Unlikely to spread'

It said any close contacts of the three were being offered anti-viral drugs as a precautionary measure.

The woman works for Procter and Gamble at its Cobalt offices on Tyneside.

The virus was found in Mexico

In a statement, Procter and Gamble said: "We can confirm that an employee at our offices in Cobalt in Newcastle has contracted the virus whilst holidaying in Mexico.

"She has been seen by a doctor and is at home recovering from the illness.

"None of our other employees have shown symptoms and we have been told by public health officials that, as the incubation period has past, it is unlikely that the virus will spread."

It said employees had been given information and any showing symptoms should seek medical attention.

Quickly informed

Dr Hogan sent a letter to all students and staff at the university on Thursday.

He said none of the students in the house had shown flu symptoms.

"The students have received the antiviral Tamiflu and they and the university have been advised by the Health Protection Agency that there is no need for the students to isolate themselves from the community unless they show symptoms."

Second year student Philippa Goymer told BBC Newcastle there had been a mixed reaction from students.

"Some of my friends are really concerned and they are whipping out the anti-bacterial hand gel and others have been quite laid back about it."

She added: "When I first heard about it I was quite worried but after discovering that the symptoms can be quite mild and that they can be contained and controlled I am less so.

"But generally speaking I am actually quite concerned, especially with exams coming up."

She said she thought students would continue to live their lives as normal.