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'Possible' swine flu cases in UK UK probes '17 swine flu reports'
(10 minutes later)
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said 25 cases of possible swine flu had been reported in the UK. Health Secretary Alan Johnson has said 25 cases of possible swine flu have been reported in the UK.
Mr Johnson told the Commons that eight cases had proved negative, and three await specialist test results.Mr Johnson told the Commons that eight cases had proved negative, and three await specialist test results.
The other 14 were undergoing initial investigation but well enough to be managed in the community, he said.The other 14 were undergoing initial investigation but well enough to be managed in the community, he said.
UK tourists have been warned against travel to affected areas by the EU Health Commissioner, after an emergency meeting of European health officials.UK tourists have been warned against travel to affected areas by the EU Health Commissioner, after an emergency meeting of European health officials.
About 103 people in Mexico are thought to have died after contracting swine flu, but there have been no deaths elsewhere.About 103 people in Mexico are thought to have died after contracting swine flu, but there have been no deaths elsewhere.
The Department of Health (DoH) has said surveillance arrangements are being "stepped up" in the UK.The Department of Health (DoH) has said surveillance arrangements are being "stepped up" in the UK.
Among the UK cases that were reported were two people in Scotland and a Canadian visitor to Sale, Greater Manchester, who was taken to hospital as a precaution after showing flu-like symptoms. Among the UK cases that were reported were two people in Airdrie, Scotland, and a Canadian visitor to Sale, Greater Manchester, who was taken to hospital as a precaution after showing flu-like symptoms.
Facemask adviceFacemask advice
Mr Johnson also said the government proposed to use its stockpile of anti-viral drugs to treat patients showing symptoms of the disease, should the virus started spreading in the UK.Mr Johnson also said the government proposed to use its stockpile of anti-viral drugs to treat patients showing symptoms of the disease, should the virus started spreading in the UK.
He added: "People will wish to know whether they should wear facemasks.He added: "People will wish to know whether they should wear facemasks.
"Although we are aware that facemasks are being given out to the public in Mexico, the available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of facemasks by those who are not ill, whilst going about their normal activities.""Although we are aware that facemasks are being given out to the public in Mexico, the available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of facemasks by those who are not ill, whilst going about their normal activities."
Mr Johnson also said preparations had been going on to cope with a flu pandemic for the last five years. SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezingSymptoms mimic those of normal flu - but in Mexico people are beginning to dieGood hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8019832.stm">'I couldn't get out of bed' class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8019802.stm">Keeping a distance in Mexico City class="" href="/1/hi/health/8017585.stm">Q&A: Swine flu class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8020208.stm">Results due in 'swine flu' cases class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8019987.stm">In pictures: Swine flu
And Mr Johnson said preparations had been going on to cope with a flu pandemic for the last five years.
"We have established a stockpile of enough anti-virals to treat more than 33m people, that is to say half of the UK population," he said."We have established a stockpile of enough anti-virals to treat more than 33m people, that is to say half of the UK population," he said.
EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said: "I'd try to avoid non-essential travel to the areas which are reported to be in the centre of the cluster in order to minimise the personal risk and to reduce the potential risk to spread the infection to other people."EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said: "I'd try to avoid non-essential travel to the areas which are reported to be in the centre of the cluster in order to minimise the personal risk and to reduce the potential risk to spread the infection to other people."
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.
SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezingSymptoms mimic those of normal flu - but in Mexico people are beginning to dieGood hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission 'I couldn't get out of bed' Keeping a distance in Mexico City Q&A: Swine flu Results due in 'swine flu' cases In pictures: Swine flu
England's Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said a potential pandemic would mean "many many more people becoming ill than occur every winter with the normal seasonal flu".England's Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said a potential pandemic would mean "many many more people becoming ill than occur every winter with the normal seasonal flu".
He added: "If a new pandemic does start as a result of this outbreak in Mexico and the United States, we can't make it go away, but what we can do through our plans, particularly our stockpiles of anti-virals, is mitigate its effect."He added: "If a new pandemic does start as a result of this outbreak in Mexico and the United States, we can't make it go away, but what we can do through our plans, particularly our stockpiles of anti-virals, is mitigate its effect."
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said it was "right that we put the issue of swine fever on the foreign ministers' agenda" because there needed to be "maximum European co-ordination" on the issue.Foreign Secretary David Miliband said it was "right that we put the issue of swine fever on the foreign ministers' agenda" because there needed to be "maximum European co-ordination" on the issue.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued advice for people travelling to Mexico, saying they should "consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of flu-like symptoms" and avoid "large crowds, shaking hands, kissing people as a greeting, or using the subway".
Agency proceduresAgency procedures
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has a procedure for confirming whether or not a patient has swine flu.The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has a procedure for confirming whether or not a patient has swine flu.
• If a patient rings their GP or NHS Direct to report symptoms, they will be told to stay at home, not to visit a surgery or hospital• If a patient rings their GP or NHS Direct to report symptoms, they will be told to stay at home, not to visit a surgery or hospital
• The HPA has prepared an "algorithm" - in essence, a flow chart - for suspected cases. On the phone, or possibly even face to face depending on the circumstances, the patient's GP or NHS Direct will take the patient through the algorithm• The HPA has prepared an "algorithm" - in essence, a flow chart - for suspected cases. On the phone, or possibly even face to face depending on the circumstances, the patient's GP or NHS Direct will take the patient through the algorithm
• If the answers to the algorithm lead the questioner to believe the patient may have swine flu, a sample will be taken that will then be sent to one of the HPA's network of regional labs for testing• If the answers to the algorithm lead the questioner to believe the patient may have swine flu, a sample will be taken that will then be sent to one of the HPA's network of regional labs for testing
• If the sample is confirmed as influenza type A, it will then be sent to the HPA's Reference Lab at the Centre for Infections in Colindale, where they will carry out genetic typing on it and establish whether it is a confirmed case of swine flu• If the sample is confirmed as influenza type A, it will then be sent to the HPA's Reference Lab at the Centre for Infections in Colindale, where they will carry out genetic typing on it and establish whether it is a confirmed case of swine flu
There have also been cases of swine flu reported in the US and Canada and suspected cases in New Zealand, France, Israel and Australia.There have also been cases of swine flu reported in the US and Canada and suspected cases in New Zealand, France, Israel and Australia.
One case has been confirmed in Spain and Germany's foreign ministry has told travellers to avoid non-essential travel to Mexico.One case has been confirmed in Spain and Germany's foreign ministry has told travellers to avoid non-essential travel to Mexico.
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Medical correspondent Fergus Walsh sees what UK scientists are doing about swine fluMedical correspondent Fergus Walsh sees what UK scientists are doing about swine flu
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.
UK-based pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline said it had supplied 100,000 packs of flu drug Relenza and 170,000 additional doses of its seasonal flu vaccine to the Mexican authorities, at their request, since the outbreak began.UK-based pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline said it had supplied 100,000 packs of flu drug Relenza and 170,000 additional doses of its seasonal flu vaccine to the Mexican authorities, at their request, since the outbreak began.
Swine flu is usually found in pigs and contracted only by people in contact with the animals.Swine flu is usually found in pigs and contracted only by people in contact with the animals.
Contingency plansContingency plans
The DoH said they could not yet give details of what the "stepped up" surveillance arrangements were and that meetings were ongoing, adding that the outbreak was "unusual and of concern".The DoH said they could not yet give details of what the "stepped up" surveillance arrangements were and that meetings were ongoing, adding that the outbreak was "unusual and of concern".
A spokeswoman said: "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."
Professor Hugh Pennington, a microbiologist who has advised the government on other public health issues, said the country was well-prepared.
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."
Professor Pennington: "The UK is better prepared than ever before"Professor Pennington: "The UK is better prepared than ever before"
Professor Steve Field is the chairman of the Royal College of GPs, which heads up research into flu in the UK.Professor Steve Field is the chairman of the Royal College of GPs, which heads up research into flu in the UK.
He says the coming days will be crucial in assessing the scale of the threat to the UK if people do contract swine flu.He says the coming days will be crucial in assessing the scale of the threat to the UK if people do contract swine flu.
He said: "We'll know a lot more... tomorrow and by the end of the week.He said: "We'll know a lot more... tomorrow and by the end of the week.
"What we've got to try and do is stop people who've come in from Mexico, places where this is prevalent, going to their GPs and spreading it amongst vulnerable people. That's what's really important this week.""What we've got to try and do is stop people who've come in from Mexico, places where this is prevalent, going to their GPs and spreading it amongst vulnerable people. That's what's really important this week."
Britons arriving back in the UK from Mexico said they were questioned by a doctor at Gatwick airport about possible flu symptoms before leaving the aircraft.
But travellers returning to Manchester Airport said they had not been questioned.
Meanwhile, a man from Northamptonshire who was told to stay in his home after returning from Mexico with flu-like symptoms, has been given the all-clear by the Health Protection Agency.
Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said two patients in Airdrie who visited Mexico had both displayed mild flu-like symptoms but there was no cause for concern.
In trading on the London stock market, shares in British Airways were down 7.4% and Thomas Cook fell 4.3% on fears over the economic impact of the swine flu outbreak.In trading on the London stock market, shares in British Airways were down 7.4% and Thomas Cook fell 4.3% on fears over the economic impact of the swine flu outbreak.