Swine flu tests on a woman at West Middlesex Hospital have proved negative.

The woman, who recently returned from Mexico, admitted herself to the Isleworth hospital yesterday reporting flu like symptoms.

She had been kept in isolation while she was being tested, but was discharged last night after those tests proved negative.

A hospital spokesman said: “We can confirm that we have admitted a female patient who has recently visited Mexico.

"The patient's condition is described as stable."

A spokesman for Kingston Hosptial confirmed yesterday it had treated one suspected case of swine flu – but that too had proved negative.

The spokesman added: "There have been no confirmed cases of swine flu at the hospital. We had one suspected case at the weekend but the patient tested negative for the virus and there have been no further suspected cases.

“However, on advice from the Department of Health and the Health Protection Agency, from today we will not be providing a running commentary on the number of suspected cases of swine flu in the area.

“This is because in the coming days and weeks, we would fully expect that many members of the public will contact their GP or NHS Direct seeking advice.

“These numbers are likely to change regularly, so it would be very difficult to provide helpful information with any certainty.

“Some of those people seeking advice may require further assessment and treatment, others will not.”

The virus is believed to have killed 152 people in Mexico but there had been no deaths outside the country.

A case was confirmed in Scotland on Monday as the UN warned of a potential pandemic.

NHS Hounslow’s director of public health, Dr Mike Robinson, said: “NHS Hounslow is continually working closely with other key agencies in Hounslow to prepare for a future pandemic influenza by developing a contingency plan.

"These well developed plans will at the appropriate time be put into action to reduce the impact, and help control the flu.

“The single most effective way to stop or slow the spread of diseases like pandemic flu is to prevent the spread of germs.

"Ensure you wash your hands regularly with soap and water and cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze.

"Clean hard surfaces, for example, door handles frequently using a normal cleaning product.

"It is important that children also follow this advice.”

Dr Robinson advised anyone concerned about swine flu to go to nhs.uk for updates and advice.

He added that anyone affected should monitor their health for seven days.

If they develop a feverish illness accompanied by one or more of a cough, sore throat, headache or muscle aches, they should stay at home and phone their GP or seek advice from NHS Direct by calling 0845 4647.

• Do you know the woman? Call the newsdesk 0208 744 4271.