A SWINE flu cluster has emerged in East Lancashire, the Lancashire Telegraph can reveal.

The Health Protection Agency has confirmed there are now five confirmed cases in Accrington.

It said that all of those suffering from the condition are at home and are recovering well.

Their conditions are being described as ‘non-serious.’ Yesterday the Government announced that the UK was moving to a treatment phase to manage the current pandemic flu outbreak.

And as a result GPs will now diagnose cases on the basis of clinical observation rather than laboratory testing.

Everyone who has flu-like symptoms will be assessed by a doctor and may be given antivirals to manage their illness.

Routine swabbing of suspected cases will now stop, and the Health Protection Agency will no longer trace close contacts and provide antivirals to limit the spread within the community.

On Monday it was confirmed that 11-year-old Qaasim Pervaiz, a pupil at Hyndburn Park Primary School, in Accrington, was taken ill last week and was confirmed as suffering from swine flu. The school which he attends was not closed by Lancashire County Council as a result of the diagnosis as health experts said there was no need to treat any of his classmates with anti-viral medication.

His family said they had been left house bound after being shunned by residents in the community, although Qaasim is now well again.

Dr John Astbury from the Health Protection Agency’s Cumbria and Lancashire Health Protection Unit said: “We are now seeing the first evidence of person-to-person spread in East Lancashire.

“It is important for everyone to be aware of flu symptoms and to isolate the-mselves and seek medical advice by phoning their GP or NHS Direct if they suspect they may have it.

“They should not go to their GP surgery or local hospital A and E unit where they would risk infecting more vulnerable patients.”

Dr Astbury said that people with symptoms should not attend work or school until they have fully recovered.

However, people without symptoms should continue to attend school and go about their daily business normally.

He stressed the importance of people with flu-like symptoms covering their mouths and noses when sneezing or coughing and washing their hands regularly and thoroughly.