A University of Kent announcement has confirmed a case of swine flu at its Canterbury campus. An unnamed female student is reported to have mild symptoms of the illness and is staying on campus while being monitored by staff from the Medical Centre.

University spokesman Gary Hughes said: "She is taking the advice of medical staff which is to stay in situ in a kind of quarantine. She has mild symptoms, but we are taking the necessary precautions.”

However, Hughes was unable to confirm how the student came to be swine positive. "I am unable, at this time, to say how she contracted the illness, but close contacts of this student have been informed and the situation monitored."

In response to the situation, the University is following its Flu Pandemic Contingency Plan and working closely with the Health Protection Agency and the NHS.

Health Protection Agency statistics show 127 confirmed cases of swine flu in the south-east region as the total number of laboratory confirmed UK cases identified since April 2009 has risen to 1,984. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has since declared a global flu pandemic. More cases of swine flu have been seen in the UK, Australia, Japan and Chile.

General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of the virus. The Health Protection Agency urges people to wash hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of virus; cleaning hard surfaces (eg door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product; covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.

Information and advice is being timeously given to students and staff as the University continues to operate as normal.