THE first victim of swine flu from County Durham caught the disease during a stag trip to Las Vegas.

Daniel Thompson reported flu-like symptoms only a day before flying home last month.

The 22-year-old, from Warwick Close, Spennymoor, was confirmed as having the flu virus by the Health Protection Agency on Friday.

His mother said yesterday that he was “feeling well”.

A number of other members of the group are waiting to find out if they have also contracted the disease.

Fifteen friends flew to the US last month to celebrate the wedding of 27-year-old teacher Michael Lennon, formerly of Spennymoor, now of Stafford, Manchester.

Six of his friends are from Spennymoor.

A family member of one man, who did not want to be named, said: “Daniel felt ill the day before they came back.

“They blamed the air conditioning and the different temperatures, as you do. It was Daniel that was poorly though and he got the doctor out. It all stemmed from him really.

After that, the Health Protection Agency got in touch.”

A spokesman for NHS County Durham said: “We can confirm that a case of swine flu has been identified in County Durham.

“The man, who has recently returned from a trip to the USA, is currently responding to treatment and is recovering well at home.

“His symptoms have been mild and there was no need for hospitalisation.”

Liam Clough, 22, of St Charles Road, Andrew Spence, 22, of Barnard Close, Craig Prudhoe, 23, of Mayfields, all Spennymoor, as well as two other friends from the town, are understood to have been on the trip. The friends, who went to school together, have been given a ten-day course of anti-viral drugs as a precaution.

The news comes as the health agency yesterday confirmed 15 new cases of swine flu in England.

■ A 24-year-old soldier from Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, was also confirmed as suffering from swine flu on Friday. He is also responding to treatment.