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UK monitoring swine flu outbreak UK monitoring swine flu outbreak
(about 1 hour 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 the outbreak was "unusual" and warranted "further investigation".The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the outbreak was "unusual" and warranted "further investigation".
Two people have been admitted to a hospital in Scotland with flu-like symptoms after returning from Mexico.Two people have been admitted to a hospital in Scotland with flu-like symptoms after returning from Mexico.
Health secretary Alan Johnson said the country is on "constant alert" - but has £500 million of flu drugs ready.Health secretary Alan Johnson said the country is on "constant alert" - but has £500 million of flu drugs ready.
Mr Johnson said: "We have a stockpile of drugs. Tamiflu deals with it once it's started and deals with it very effectively, we know from Mexico.Mr Johnson said: "We have a stockpile of drugs. Tamiflu deals with it once it's started and deals with it very effectively, we know from Mexico.
Best preparedBest prepared
"Once we know what the strain is we will look to find a vaccine to prevent it and we have a pre-agreement for these vaccines to be produced as soon as we decide.""Once we know what the strain is we will look to find a vaccine to prevent it and we have a pre-agreement for these vaccines to be produced as soon as we decide."
The World Health Organisation rates Britain as one of the two countries best prepared for an outbreak, along with France.The World Health Organisation rates Britain as one of the two countries best prepared for an outbreak, along with France.
It is sensible that we plan in the assumption that there will be cases Justin McCrackenHealth Protection Agency Q&A: Swine flu
Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the two Scottish patients who had visited Mexico both displayed mild flu-like symptoms but said there was no cause for concern.Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the two Scottish patients who had visited Mexico both displayed mild flu-like symptoms but said there was no cause for concern.
Neither of the people had travelled in areas affected by swine flu outbreaks.Neither of the people had travelled in areas affected by swine flu outbreaks.
At least 71 people in Mexico are now thought to have died after contracting the new strain of flu being linked to an outbreak of swine flu in the US.At least 71 people in Mexico are now thought to have died after contracting the new strain of flu being linked to an outbreak of swine flu in the US.
False alarm 'Expect cases'
There have been no confirmed cases so far in Europe. Justin McCracken, chief executive of the Health Protection Agency, told BBC News he thought there probably would be infections in the UK.
Chris Clarke, a British businessman from Northamptonshire, had a false alarm when he began to feel unwell after flying out of Mexico on Friday. He said: "I think probably we should expect cases given the way this has spread across America. It is sensible that we plan in the assumption that there will be cases.
He told BBC News: "I was watching the [BBC] News channel last night - clearly the story was escalating. I have two young children so I am conscious I don't want to bring anything back. I called NHS Direct. "We are already mobilising things in the UK in case the virus comes over here. I definitely think we have enough of the drugs."
"They said there were lots of things that could cause my symptoms but said I should be seen by my local practitioner and asked me to call my out-of-hours service, which I did." Mr McCracken added: "I don't think at this stage there is any need to declare an emergency."
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.
Precautionary tests
The WHO said some of those affected in Mexico had tested positive for a strain - H1N1.
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.
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 flu
The Health Protection Agency (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 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.
'Reason to be worried''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. 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."
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said people "should be aware" of the outbreak, but is not currently advising people against travelling to affected areas of Mexico and the US.The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said people "should be aware" of the outbreak, but is not currently advising people against travelling to affected areas of Mexico and the US.
The advice said: "Cases have been reported in Mexico City, together with the states of Oaxaca, San Luis Potosi, Mexicali and Baja California.The advice said: "Cases have been reported in Mexico City, together with the states of Oaxaca, San Luis Potosi, Mexicali and Baja California.
"Travellers should consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of 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.