THE father of a British woman who contracted swine flu on her honeymoon said today that she was "doing OK".
Newlyweds Dawn and Iain Askham are being treated for the virus in hospital after returning from Mexico.
The couple, from Polmont, near Falkirk, fell ill at the weekend, days after getting back from their honeymoon in Cancun.
They are being treated in isolation at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
Mrs Askham's father, Brian Colston, said his daughter's condition was improving, when he spoke at the door of his home in Falkirk today.
Asked how his daughter was doing, he replied: "She's doing OK, she's getting better."
There was no answer at the home of Scottish Power worker Mr Askham's father, Ian, in nearby Polmont. It is understood he works at a nearby community education centre but would not be going in this week.
Health officials have said the couple are not seriously ill.
Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said seven of 22 people, including workmates, who had been in close contact with the couple were also showing "mild symptoms".
Neighbours in Polmont spoke of their shock today.
Rachel Anderson, who lives across the road from the couple, said: "They were in Mexico for their honeymoon. On Saturday one of the neighbours noticed a paramedic on the street and they have not seen the couple since.
"It is a shame for them and I feel for their family. They will be very worried.
"They are saying that it's the young folk it's hitting.
"They have been here quite a while and that is them getting married. It's not the kind of honeymoon you want."
But she added: "It is treatable. We've got the facilities in this country to deal with it and I'm sure they will be OK."
Another neighbour, James Carswell, said: "I just know them in passing and spoke to Iain a few times.
"It was a bit of a shock when I heard this morning. I heard there was a couple in Monklands Hospital but I had no idea it was someone across the road.
"They recently got married and went to Mexico but that's all I know. They are a nice young couple and keep themselves to themselves but they go to lots of rock concerts.
"It is worrying and it comes as a bit of a shock.
"I have not been given any advice but I have just found out about it today."
He added: "They had lots of plans for their house and were planning to build an extension."
Falkirk Labour MP Eric Joyce, whose constituency takes in Polmont, said he contacted the chief executive of NHS Forth Valley last night.
"This is a very worrying time for all the people concerned, their friends and families, and indeed the whole community in Polmont," he said.
"The priority is to treat the young couple who are ill, and identify people who have been in contact with them urgently. I understand that this is focusing on seven people initially.
"Luckily, this remains a rare disease and the chances of infection are very, very low."
Mr Askham is a keen amateur footballer and plays for six-a-side team FC Mallard with a group of friends.
They play in the Prostar Superleague based at Ochilview Park, in nearby Stenhousemuir, home of Stenhousemuir FC.
A match scheduled to have taken place tomorrow night has been cancelled because of the swine flu scare.
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