A SECOND case of swine flu has been confirmed in North Yorkshire - just days after the first case came to light.

The latest diagnosis involves a teenage boy in the Hambleton area - where a woman was tested positive for the virus at the weekend.

However any connection between the two has been ruled out and instead the case is linked to the outbreak at top public school Eton in Berkshire.

At least five cases of swine flu have been confirmed at the school and around 30 possible cases are being investigated.

And as the school has closed and pupils have been sent home, the teenager has returned to his family home in the Hambleton district.

The boy and those in close contact with him have been prescribed anti-viral drugs and he is said to be responding well to treatment.

All parents of students at Eton were written to by the Health Protection Agency on May 30 offering anti-viral medicines as a precautionary measure to help limit the spread of the virus among pupils and staff.

North Yorkshire’s director of public health, Dr Peter Brambleby, said last night: "It is important to state that this case is connected to the outbreak at Eton and has not come about through a return from travel abroad or through contact with an existing case here in North Yorkshire.

"It is therefore not connected to the existing case in the Hambleton district which was confirmed on Saturday."

He stressed that unless people had flu-like symptoms or were being tested for swine flu, there was no need to stop normal everyday activities such as going to work or school.

"The single most effective action the public can take to protect themselves and others from infection is to follow good hygiene practices, such as catching coughs and sneezes in tissues and washing hands regularly," he said.

"These simple steps will have a major role to play in slowing the spread of any strain of influenza."

He added: "Our advice remains the same for people who feel they might be affected by swine flu.

"They should stay at home to limit contact with others and telephone their GP or NHS Direct. Potential swine flu sufferers should not visit their GP surgery or go into hospitals as this may spread germs to others."

For up to date information call the swine flu information line on 0800 1513 513 For NHS Direct call 0845 4647 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk