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/8020222.stm

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
UK steps up alert for swine flu UK steps up alert for swine flu
(10 minutes later)
Surveillance arrangements were being "stepped up" in the UK to be ready for a possible swine flu outbreak, the Department of Health has said. Surveillance arrangements were being "stepped up" in the UK to be ready for a possible swine flu outbreak, the Department of Health (DoH) has said.
The move comes as an emergency meeting of European health ministers is to be arranged "as soon as possible" in response to the outbreak in Mexico.The move comes as an emergency meeting of European health ministers is to be arranged "as soon as possible" in response to the outbreak in Mexico.
Officials said the UK should expect to see an outbreak of the virus.Officials said the UK should expect to see an outbreak of the virus.
About 103 people in Mexico are thought to have died after contracting it, but there have been no deaths elsewhere.About 103 people in Mexico are thought to have died after contracting it, but there have been no deaths elsewhere.
The DoH said they could not yet give details of what the surveillance arrangements were and that meetings were ongoing.
There have also been 20 cases of swine flu reported in the US and six in Canada, and suspected cases in New Zealand, France, Spain, Israel and Australia.There have also been 20 cases of swine flu reported in the US and six in Canada, and suspected cases in New Zealand, France, Spain, Israel and Australia.
'Well-prepared'
However, no-one outside of Mexico has yet died, leading to suggestions that the severity of the cases there may be due to the strain mixing with a second unrelated virus circulating in the community.However, no-one outside of Mexico has yet died, leading to suggestions that the severity of the cases there may be due to the strain mixing with a second unrelated virus circulating in the community.
Professor Hugh Pennington, a microbiologist who has advised the government on other public health issues, said the country was well-prepared.
Professor Pennington: "The UK is better prepared than ever before"
He told the BBC that all civil contingency plans were in place, health authorities were ready and well-stocked with Tamiflu anti-flu medicine.
He said: "We are better-prepared than we have ever been before, so I think that's some reassurance for the public."
A Department of Health spokeswoman said the outbreak was "unusual and of concern".A Department of Health spokeswoman said the outbreak was "unusual and of concern".
But she added: "It is too early to make a complete assessment of the health implications of this new virus or if it could represent the appearance of a potential pandemic strain of influenza virus."But she added: "It is too early to make a complete assessment of the health implications of this new virus or if it could represent the appearance of a potential pandemic strain of influenza virus."