by Keyan Milanian and Mary Graham

Another two cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the county, bringing the total to eight.

Medway now has its first case. The person involved tested positive last week and is being treated with antivirals at home.

The NHS is currently unable to confirm whether the Medway patient has been to a country where swine flu has been identified or in contact with another sufferer.

Dr Alison Barnett, Medway's director of public health, said: "NHS Medway has robust plans in place to deal with swine flu.

"At this time the World Health Organisation considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate. The majority of patients are experiencing mild symptoms and are recovering within a few days."

A woman in west Kent has also tested positive, bringing the total in that part of the county to four.

Dr Jackie Spiby, NHS West Kent's director of health improvement, said the woman had recently travelled from Australia.

She added: "She is being treated with antiviral medication at home. NHS West Kent and the Health Protection Agency are working hard to identify any possible cases of swine flu and to protect individuals who may have come into contact with suspected or confirmed cases.

Three cases have already been confirmed in east Kent. There are still fewer than 1,200 cases in the UK as a whole.

Health officials say if anyone is worried, they should call the swine flu information line on 0800 1513 513. If a person has flu-like symptoms, they should stay at home and contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or phone their GP.