THE mother of a boy, who contracted swine flu on holiday in Mexico, has spoken of her anger over the lack of medical guidance her family received after they flew home.

Joe Bland, of Broomfield Green, Canvey, caught the dreaded virus while on holiday in Cancun.

The 12-year-old had not developed any symptoms when holiday operator, First Choice, flew the Blands home to Gatwick Airport, on April 30.

Joe’s mum Louise, 33, claimed they were told before take off in Mexico a First Choice adviser would speak to them about swine flu as soon as they landed in Britain, but this did not happen.

They were also not given any medication or advice on whether they should stay off work and school by the health authorities.

The family was only put on a course of Tamiflu tablets after Joe was diagnosed at home, five days later.

Mrs Bland said: “I feel totally let down. We didn’t know if any of us had swine flu when we landed, but there was obviously a chance.

“I think if they had given us the tablets as soon as we got back in Britain and told us to stay at home for a week, to stop any potential risk of it spreading, they wouldn’t have ended up having to close the school.”

Castle View School, which Joe attends, has closed to everyone except GCSE students until Monday next week, to stop the threat of swine flu spreading.

Mrs Bland added all the flight attendants on the plane home were wearing masks, but none were given to passengers.

At least one other of the passengers on the flight was later confirmed to have had swine flu.

Mrs Bland is also upset with First Choice for only refunding £742 of their £4,600 holiday cost.

She said: “That isn’t much compensation when you have saved all year to go on holiday. Our trip was completely ruined and I think they should refund all the money.

“We were advised not to go out of the hotel while we were there, and were flown home six days early. ”

First Choice and NHS South East Essex did not comment when the Echo contacted them yesterday.