THE first case of swine flu has been confirmed in the North-East.

Newcastle University has warned that a woman in the city who shares a house with two students has contracted the virus.

She is said to have mild symptoms and is being treated at home.

The woman is an employee of drugs company Proctor and Gamble in Newcastle.

She was sent home from work after feeling unwell and was later confirmed to have the virus. It is not thought any other employees have been infected.

Marina Barker, corporate communications director at Proctor and Gamble, said: "We can confirm that an employee in Newcastle has contracted swine flu while on holiday to Mexico.

"She showed signs of flu when she came back from holiday and she came back around April 18.

"She was due into work on the Wednesday and she came in very briefly for two or three hours but was sent home.

"She saw her doctor who confirmed that she had swine flu and she is now recovering at home.

"She wanted to come back to work sooner but we have advised her against it.

"The incubation period has passed but everyone wants to make sure that she is free of the infection and is back to full health before she comes back to work.

"We contacted the Public Health Officials and blood samples from the people she came into contact with were taken.

"No-one has shown symptoms up to date and now the incubation period has passed, they said it's highly unlikely that infection has spread.

"Naturally, our first priority is the welfare of all our employees.

"P&G employees across the globe have been given information about the virus and have been advised to follow preventive hygiene measures.

"We’ve advised employees showing signs of the symptoms to seek immediate medical attention. We will continue to monitor the situation closely.

"We have also limited travel on a global basis, we have restricted travel to Mexico."

Two more cases of swine fever have been confirmed in London today, bringing the total number in the UK to eight.

All of today's cases are associated with travel to Mexico.

Other residents in the infected house in Newcastle have received the anti-viral Tamiflu drug and a warning has been issued via email to all Newcastle University students.

A Newcastle University spokeswoman said: "An emergency meeting was held at the University today at 12.15pm.

"The email alert was sent out as soon as possible, at just after 1pm.

"We are in a state of preparedness, we have encountered a situation similar to this before, with the threat of avian flu, and we have measures in place."

The email was sent to all students at 13.02pm, with a message from Dr John Hogan, a registrar at the university.

The Health Protection Agency has advised "that there is no need for the students to isolate themselves from the community unless they show symptoms."

A university lecturer said on Twitter: "All of the North-East can now officially panic as we have our first swine flu case confirmed."

The message to students read: "Dear Student.

"This morning, the University has been notified that a case of swine 'flu has been confirmed in the city in an individual who has recently returned from Mexico.

"This person is not a Newcastle University student, or a member of staff. "However, they are resident in a house which is shared with two Newcastle University students.

"Neither of the students concerned has so far displayed any 'flu-like symptoms.

"Both 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.

"The University fully understands that students and staff will be very concerned about Swine Flu in the light of these events and the ongoing media coverage, and will make every effort to provide regular updates.

"Students and staff with particular concerns, and especially those who may recently have returned from Mexico, or believe they may otherwise have been in contact with the virus, are advised to contact the swine flu information line on 0800 151 3513."

The Health Protection Agency has confirmed the case of swine flu in the North-East.

Testing of the swine flu virus was carried out by the HPA's Centre for Infections Virus Reference Department.

All three of today's cases have mild symptoms and are responding to treatment at home.

The HPA said in a statement: "The Health Protection Agency is working to ensure that any close contacts of the three patients are offered antivirals as a precautionary measure.

"At this stage close contacts who should be offered antivirals as a precautionary measure are those individuals who have been exposed to a probable or confirmed case within the previous seven days for longer than one hour and within a distance of one metre or less.

"All cases up to now have been associated with travel to Mexico.

"The Health Protection Agency's advice remains that individuals returning from affected areas who become unwell within seven days of their return should stay at home and contact their GP or NHS Direct.

"Individuals will be assessed and, if necessary, testing and treatment will be provided.

"The Health Protection Agency is continuing to monitor events and work closely alongside the UK government, to review the ongoing events and assess any threat they pose to UK public health."