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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 (DoH) 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.
'Well-prepared''Well-prepared'
The DoH said they could not yet give details of what the surveillance arrangements were and that meetings were ongoing.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.
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 Pennington: "The UK is better prepared than ever before"Professor Pennington: "The UK is better prepared than ever before"
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.
Professor Hugh Pennington, a microbiologist who has advised the government on other public health issues, said the country was well-prepared.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 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."He said: "We are better-prepared than we have ever been before, so I think that's some reassurance for the public."
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.
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 href="/1/hi/uk/8019830.stm">Expect swine flu cases, UK told In pictures: Swine flu 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 href="/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8020208.stm">Results due in 'swine flu' cases In pictures: Swine flu
"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."
Travellers returning to Manchester Airport from Mexico said they faced no questions about symptoms of the illness or screening either in Mexico or when they arrived back in the UK.Travellers returning to Manchester Airport from Mexico said they faced no questions about symptoms of the illness or screening either in Mexico or when they arrived back in the UK.
And 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.And 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.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.
Meanwhile, in early trading on the London stock market, shares in British Airways were down 8% and Thomas Cook fell 7.9% on fears over the economic impact of the swine flu outbreak.
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."