It had been hoped that Bute would avoid any more cases of the disease after the brief outbreak, reported over the last week on www.buteman.co.uk, which led to the week-long closure of Apple Tree Nursery.

But a P3 pupil at the school was confirmed on Monday evening as having tested positive for the Influenza A (H1N1) strain of the virus.

Argyll and Bute Council announced on Tuesday afternoon that all pupils in the girl's class, along with all pupils who used the same school transport minibus as the confirmed case, have been asked not to return to school until Wednesday, June 17.

All have been given couress of the Tamiflu anti-viral drug.

Until Tuesday Bute was understood to have avoided the spread of swine flu which has resulted in much disruption to daily life in several areas of the country - not least in Cowal, where five schools have been completely, though temporarily, closed in a bid to combat the outbreak.

Dunoon Grammar School and Kirn, Lochgoilhead, Innellan and Toward primaries have all been closed in the last week on the advice of public health officials, and a P6 class at Dunoon Primary was also asked on Tuesday to stay at home for seven days.

Recognising the growing public concern over the disease, NHS Highland's public health consultant, Dr Ken Oates, said: "We are communicating with the close contacts of any confirmed cases to see if they are showing any symptoms, and recommending appropriate action.

"We've talked extensively about the symptoms - fever, cough or shortness of breath, headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose or loss of appetite - but we should also emphasise that people who have any strain of flu can feel miserable, and that is to be expected.

"We know that this type of flu is spread by tiny particles that come out of your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Our advice is straightforward; when you cough or sneeze cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Throw the tissue away and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.

"Regularly clean door handles, hard surfaces, computer keyboards, TV remote controls and so on. Improving your hygiene is the best thing that you can do to protect yourself."

The local health board is in daily contact with Health Protection Scotland, the Scottish Government and other health boards to ensure an up-to-date picture of the spread of the virus.

The Scottish Government is also issuing daily updates giving details of the number of swine flu cases across the country, though public information about where new cases are located is being limited to health board areas only.

The most recent update, on Tuesday afternoon, stated that there were eight new confirmed cases of the disease in the NHS Highland area.

The only adult to have a confirmed case of swine flu on Bute, Ellis Rutherford, who lives in Mansefield Place, was released from quarantine, along with his family, last Friday.

Apple Tree Nursery is due to re-open on Wednesday after its week-long precautionary closure.