The H1N1 virus was unwittingly brought into the town by at least two groups of friends after catching the bug during a holiday to Ibiza.

Of the estimated 30 that travelled, six of the party started to develop symptoms shortly after returning to Montrose on Saturday, June 20. It is understood that two of those required hospital treatment.

As a precaution, everyone that has come into close contact with those confirmed cases were quarantined in their homes and prescribed a course of the antiviral Tamiflu.

Montrose woman Joanna Simpson was shocked last week to discover that her partner had been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus and that she would have to be quarantined in her home.

She said: "My partner and his friends went to Ibiza and there were two groups of them. There must have been about 20 of them in one group and 10 in the other.

"They only felt ill after they got home. Within one week they developed symptoms and the rest were given Tamiflu tablets as a safeguard."

Joanna said her partner had already gone offshore before his own symptoms started to develop. When it was discovered, he was immediately quarantined. He was flown home just days ago after beating the bug.
"For my partner, it was just like a really bad cold. I think two of the guys were really bad though."

Joanna is still awaiting the results of tests to show whether or not she has caught swine flu from her partner or his friends.

There are also unconfirmed reports that two local teenagers have contracted swine flu.

NHS Tayside said that 18 cases of the H1N1 virus had been confirmed in the Tayside area, but said they would not comment on individual cases.

The spokesperson said: "Sixteen of the cases are travel-related and include a group of seven people who travelled together."

Dr Drew Walker, NHS Tayside Director of Public Health, said, "We have seen a rise in the number of cases over the weekend with 12 new cases confirmed but we are well prepared to deal with this situation.

"The vast majority of people contracting the virus are experiencing mild symptoms and the risk to the general public remains low. "

If you feel unwell and experience any flu-like symptoms, you should phone your own GP, NHS24 on 08454 24 24 24 or the Swine Flu Helpline on 0800 1 513 513.