This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8018887.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
UK monitoring swine flu outbreak UK monitoring swine flu outbreak
(about 2 hours later)
Health officials in the UK say they are monitoring closely a deadly outbreak of swine flu in Mexico, amid fears of a potential pandemic.Health officials in the UK say they are monitoring closely a deadly outbreak of swine flu in Mexico, amid fears of a potential pandemic.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it was working with the government to assess any threat posed to the public.The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it was working with the government to assess any threat posed to the public.
It described the outbreak as "unusual" and warranting "further investigation and vigilance" by other countries.It described the outbreak as "unusual" and warranting "further investigation and vigilance" by other countries.
A BA worker has been taken to a London hospital with "flu-like symptoms" after arriving on a flight from Mexico City. Northwick Park Hospital said a BA worker who arrived from Mexico City and fell ill does not have swine flu.
At least 81 people in Mexico are now thought to have died after contracting a new strain of flu being linked to an outbreak of swine flu in the US.At least 81 people in Mexico are now thought to have died after contracting a new strain of flu being linked to an outbreak of swine flu in the US.
There have been no confirmed cases so far in Europe.There have been no confirmed cases so far in Europe.
Swine flu is a respiratory disease that infects pigs and does not normally infect humans.Swine flu is a respiratory disease that infects pigs and does not normally infect humans.
However, sporadic cases do occur, usually in people who have had close contact with pigs.However, sporadic cases do occur, usually in people who have had close contact with pigs.
Precautionary testsPrecautionary tests
The WHO said some of those affected in Mexico had tested positive for a strain - H1N1 - that had infected at least seven people in the south-western US.The WHO said some of those affected in Mexico had tested positive for a strain - H1N1 - that had infected at least seven people in the south-western US.
The concern is that this strain has the potential to spread rapidly because it appears to be passing easily from human to human.The concern is that this strain has the potential to spread rapidly because it appears to be passing easily from human to human.
WHO Director-general Margaret Chan said the strain had "pandemic potential" but that it was too early to say whether one would actually occur.WHO Director-general Margaret Chan said the strain had "pandemic potential" but that it was too early to say whether one would actually occur.
The HPA and the NHS have systems in place which will alert public health authorities of any unusual strain circulating in the UK Health Protection Authority statement Q&A: Swine fluThe HPA and the NHS have systems in place which will alert public health authorities of any unusual strain circulating in the UK Health Protection Authority statement Q&A: Swine flu
The HPA said: "More investigation and testing is needed to determine the severity of the disease and the ease with which it can spread.The HPA said: "More investigation and testing is needed to determine the severity of the disease and the ease with which it can spread.
"The HPA is monitoring this situation closely and is working with the UK government to review the current incident and any threat it poses to UK public health.""The HPA is monitoring this situation closely and is working with the UK government to review the current incident and any threat it poses to UK public health."
The male BA cabin crew member has undergone precautionary tests after falling ill with "flu-like symptoms" on a flight on Saturday.
He was taken to Northwick Park Hospital, in Harrow, after landing at Heathrow airport at 1400 BST (1300 GMT).
A hospital spokesman said: "He is responding well to treatment.
"The patient was admitted directly to a side room and the hospital is scrupulously following infection-control procedures to ensure there is no risk to any other individual in the hospital."
Antiviral drugs
The HPA said there was currently a "very low level" of flu activity in the UK, adding that the H1N1 strain at the centre of the American alert was treatable with antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza.The HPA said there was currently a "very low level" of flu activity in the UK, adding that the H1N1 strain at the centre of the American alert was treatable with antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza.
"The HPA and the NHS have systems in place which will alert public health authorities of any unusual strain circulating in the UK," it said."The HPA and the NHS have systems in place which will alert public health authorities of any unusual strain circulating in the UK," it said.
'Reason to be worried'
However, Professor Nigel Dimmock, a virologist from Warwick University, said it was unclear how much drug resistance this new strain may have.However, Professor Nigel Dimmock, a virologist from Warwick University, said it was unclear how much drug resistance this new strain may have.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "There is reason to be worried. The virus will travel and if it is, as seems, a new virus and people have no resistance to it, then there's nothing to stop it spreading from person to person and by various means around the world."He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "There is reason to be worried. The virus will travel and if it is, as seems, a new virus and people have no resistance to it, then there's nothing to stop it spreading from person to person and by various means around the world."
People in the UK are not currently being advised to avoid travelling to affected areas of Mexico and the US.People in the UK are not currently being advised to avoid travelling to affected areas of Mexico and the US.
However, the Foreign Office recommends that anyone visiting those destinations - or who has recently returned - should consult a doctor if they experience flu-like symptoms.However, the Foreign Office recommends that anyone visiting those destinations - or who has recently returned - should consult a doctor if they experience flu-like symptoms.
To prevent the spread of illness, the HPA advised people to cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, to throw away dirty tissues promptly and carefully, and to wash hands and surfaces which are regularly touched.To prevent the spread of illness, the HPA advised people to cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, to throw away dirty tissues promptly and carefully, and to wash hands and surfaces which are regularly touched.