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Handful of Welsh swine flu cases Handful of Welsh swine flu cases
(10 minutes later)
Wales's chief medical officer has said "a handful" of cases of possible swine flu are being investigated in Wales.Wales's chief medical officer has said "a handful" of cases of possible swine flu are being investigated in Wales.
Dr Tony Jewell told a briefing that one case had been hospitalised and the others were being treated at home.Dr Tony Jewell told a briefing that one case had been hospitalised and the others were being treated at home.
He cautioned the public once more against undue alarm, in the wake of more than 150 deaths in Mexico.He cautioned the public once more against undue alarm, in the wake of more than 150 deaths in Mexico.
Earlier, health minister Edwina Hart had said she "fully expects" there to be cases in Wales and said "robust" procedures were in place.Earlier, health minister Edwina Hart had said she "fully expects" there to be cases in Wales and said "robust" procedures were in place.
Dr Jewell said: "There are cases being investigated in Wales, but as we speak there are no confirmed cases in Wales.
I think everyone can be confident that we are ready for this to get worse, if it does get worse. First Minister Rhodri Morgan AM
"We should expect that there will be some confirmed cases in Wales at some point."
He declined to say how many people were being looked at or where they were but said that most have had travel links to Mexico.
Asked how many people were being tested, he said: "A handful, and it will change because people go on the list and go off the list as people are proved negative."
Dr Jewell said a pandemic response exercise called Taliesyn had been carried out last week.Dr Jewell said a pandemic response exercise called Taliesyn had been carried out last week.
First Minister Rhodri Morgan said £59m had been invested in stockpiling anti-virals, for 50% of the population.
He said: "I think everyone can be confident that we are ready for this to get worse, if it does get worse.
"We had an exercise in how to deal with a flu pandemic just last week. It does mean we are ready."
In a letter to assembly members, Ms Hart said the assembly government was preparing for the arrival of the virus and "robust procedures" were in place.In a letter to assembly members, Ms Hart said the assembly government was preparing for the arrival of the virus and "robust procedures" were in place.
In her letter Ms Hart said "although it is natural for people to feel apprehensive, we can reassure the public that we are working to prepare for the arrival of the virus, and have put robust procedures in place".In her letter Ms Hart said "although it is natural for people to feel apprehensive, we can reassure the public that we are working to prepare for the arrival of the virus, and have put robust procedures in place".
The minister said a Wales-wide exercise to deal with such an emergency was held successfully last week.The minister said a Wales-wide exercise to deal with such an emergency was held successfully last week.
She added they were "well placed to deal with the effects".She added they were "well placed to deal with the effects".
The minister said they have stocks of anti-viral drugs for 50% of the population. She said reports on the swine flu viruses involved indicated these drugs are effective.
Ms Hart also said she was involved in the COBRA meetings and she would be briefing opposition party spokespeople on Tuesday morning.
On Monday evening, it was also confirmed two Scots, who have recently returned from Mexico, have the 'flu.On Monday evening, it was also confirmed two Scots, who have recently returned from Mexico, have the 'flu.
Dr Jewell said: "The Welsh Assembly Government is liaising with the National Public Health Service (NPHS), Health Protection Agency, the other UK countries and international colleagues to monitor the situation closely.Dr Jewell said: "The Welsh Assembly Government is liaising with the National Public Health Service (NPHS), Health Protection Agency, the other UK countries and international colleagues to monitor the situation closely.
"I have already contacted health professionals to remind them of the correct procedures of dealing with a flu outbreak to ensure they are adhered to."I have already contacted health professionals to remind them of the correct procedures of dealing with a flu outbreak to ensure they are adhered to.
Mr Jowell also said further information including health advice on measures to prevent infection, such as regular hand washing, can be found at the websites of the Health Protection Agency and the NPHS for Wales."Mr Jowell also said further information including health advice on measures to prevent infection, such as regular hand washing, can be found at the websites of the Health Protection Agency and the NPHS for Wales."