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| UK homes to get swine flu advice | UK homes to get swine flu advice |
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| Leaflets about the swine flu outbreak and how to prevent its spread are to be delivered to every UK household. | Leaflets about the swine flu outbreak and how to prevent its spread are to be delivered to every UK household. |
| The Department of Health is also "urgently looking" at increasing stockpiles of facemasks, most likely for issue to health professionals. | The Department of Health is also "urgently looking" at increasing stockpiles of facemasks, most likely for issue to health professionals. |
| The results of swine flu tests on 23 people in Scotland are expected later. A Falkirk couple, who recently returned from Mexico, are the UK's first cases. | The results of swine flu tests on 23 people in Scotland are expected later. A Falkirk couple, who recently returned from Mexico, are the UK's first cases. |
| The virus is thought to have killed nearly 160 people in Mexico. | The virus is thought to have killed nearly 160 people in Mexico. |
| The number of swine flu cases globally is rising, though no-one outside Mexico has died. | The number of swine flu cases globally is rising, though no-one outside Mexico has died. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to be briefed on the latest developments on Wednesday by the chief medical officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, and Health Secretary Alan Johnson. | |
| Information campaign | Information campaign |
| Delivery of the government leaflets is due to start within the next few days. | Delivery of the government leaflets is due to start within the next few days. |
| "Guidelines for doctors issued a few months ago anticipated this kind of public information campaign as an important part of the current phase four alert," said BBC health correspondent Branwen Jeffreys. | "Guidelines for doctors issued a few months ago anticipated this kind of public information campaign as an important part of the current phase four alert," said BBC health correspondent Branwen Jeffreys. |
| Available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of facemasks by those who are not ill whilst going about their normal activities Department of Health spokesman | Available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of facemasks by those who are not ill whilst going about their normal activities Department of Health spokesman |
| The World Health Organization (WHO) raised its pandemic alert status to level four on Monday - two levels from a full pandemic - after concluding there had been sustained transmission between humans. | The World Health Organization (WHO) raised its pandemic alert status to level four on Monday - two levels from a full pandemic - after concluding there had been sustained transmission between humans. |
| But a national pandemic flu helpline set out in the government plans is not expected to be operational before the autumn. | But a national pandemic flu helpline set out in the government plans is not expected to be operational before the autumn. |
| The prime minister has said Britain is "among the best prepared countries in the world" to deal with the outbreak. | The prime minister has said Britain is "among the best prepared countries in the world" to deal with the outbreak. |
| "We have been preparing for this kind of scenario for many years," he said, insisting that Britain was now taking "all the urgent action that is necessary". | "We have been preparing for this kind of scenario for many years," he said, insisting that Britain was now taking "all the urgent action that is necessary". |
| A Department of Health spokesman said: "We are urgently looking into how we can increase our current stockpiles of facemasks for healthcare workers who would come into close contact with symptomatic individuals during an influenza pandemic." | A Department of Health spokesman said: "We are urgently looking into how we can increase our current stockpiles of facemasks for healthcare workers who would come into close contact with symptomatic individuals during an influenza pandemic." |
| The spokesman said that "available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of facemasks by those who are not ill whilst going about their normal activities". | The spokesman said that "available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of facemasks by those who are not ill whilst going about their normal activities". |
| Chief medical officer for Scotland, Dr Harry Burns, is hoping for the results of tests on 23 people displaying swine flu symptoms. | Chief medical officer for Scotland, Dr Harry Burns, is hoping for the results of tests on 23 people displaying swine flu symptoms. |
| Fourteen have been screened after returning from Mexico or the US, while nine had been in contact with the British couple confirmed as having swine flu. | Fourteen have been screened after returning from Mexico or the US, while nine had been in contact with the British couple confirmed as having swine flu. |
| Iain and Dawn Askham, of Polmont, near Falkirk, are continuing to improve at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, Lanarkshire. | Iain and Dawn Askham, of Polmont, near Falkirk, are continuing to improve at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, Lanarkshire. |
| It has emerged they were mixing with people at home and work for five days after their return from honeymoon in Cancun, before feeling ill and being admitted to hospital. | It has emerged they were mixing with people at home and work for five days after their return from honeymoon in Cancun, before feeling ill and being admitted to hospital. |
| If any of the Askhams' friends or workmates test positive, "it will mean the infection was transmitted here in Scotland", says Scotland correspondent Colin Blane. | If any of the Askhams' friends or workmates test positive, "it will mean the infection was transmitted here in Scotland", says Scotland correspondent Colin Blane. |
| CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES Mexico: 159 suspected deaths - 20 confirmed cases US: 64 confirmed casesCanada: 13 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 3 confirmed casesUK, Spain, Israel: 2 confirmed cases eachCountries with suspected cases: Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Australia, and South Korea, and seven EU states Mapping the outbreak In pictures: Swine flu spreads Swine flu: Your experiences | CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES Mexico: 159 suspected deaths - 20 confirmed cases US: 64 confirmed casesCanada: 13 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 3 confirmed casesUK, Spain, Israel: 2 confirmed cases eachCountries with suspected cases: Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Australia, and South Korea, and seven EU states Mapping the outbreak In pictures: Swine flu spreads Swine flu: Your experiences |
| The chief medical officer for Wales, Tony Jewell, said there were eight suspected cases under investigation in the nation - all linked to travel in Mexico. | The chief medical officer for Wales, Tony Jewell, said there were eight suspected cases under investigation in the nation - all linked to travel in Mexico. |
| The Health Protection Agency said it was not releasing details about any suspected cases in England until swine flu was confirmed. | The Health Protection Agency said it was not releasing details about any suspected cases in England until swine flu was confirmed. |
| Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has said that seven people are being tested, while two cases are under investigation in Derbyshire. | Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has said that seven people are being tested, while two cases are under investigation in Derbyshire. |
| Tests carried out on a female patient at West Middlesex hospital in west London have proved negative. | Tests carried out on a female patient at West Middlesex hospital in west London have proved negative. |
| In Northern Ireland the chief medical officer, Dr Liz Mitchell, said it was likely that there would be cases, although there was none currently under investigation. | In Northern Ireland the chief medical officer, Dr Liz Mitchell, said it was likely that there would be cases, although there was none currently under investigation. |
| The health secretary has said a stockpile of anti-viral drugs will be used to treat patients showing symptoms of the disease, should the virus start spreading in the UK. | The health secretary has said a stockpile of anti-viral drugs will be used to treat patients showing symptoms of the disease, should the virus start spreading in the UK. |
| Sir Liam Donaldson said: "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." | Sir Liam Donaldson said: "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." |
| But the Conservatives have criticised the government over the national flu helpline, which was supposed to be ready in early 2009. | But the Conservatives have criticised the government over the national flu helpline, which was supposed to be ready in early 2009. |
| Shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien said: "The national flu line will be crucial if a pandemic were to happen in Britain, by allowing people to get the information and the anti-virals they will need to fight the flu without having to go to GP surgeries or hospitals." | Shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien said: "The national flu line will be crucial if a pandemic were to happen in Britain, by allowing people to get the information and the anti-virals they will need to fight the flu without having to go to GP surgeries or hospitals." |
| Cancelled holidays | Cancelled holidays |
| NHS Direct has stopped call centre staff from booking any new periods of time off until further notice in response to the expected high demand for the service. | NHS Direct has stopped call centre staff from booking any new periods of time off until further notice in response to the expected high demand for the service. |
| There were 57% more visits to the NHS Direct website on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning compared with the same period last week. | There were 57% more visits to the NHS Direct website on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning compared with the same period last week. |
| Official UK guidance is that anyone with flu-like symptoms who might have been in contact with the virus - such as those living or travelling in the affected areas of Mexico - should seek medical advice. | Official UK guidance is that anyone with flu-like symptoms who might have been in contact with the virus - such as those living or travelling in the affected areas of Mexico - should seek medical advice. |
| SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezingSymptoms mimic those of normal flu. In Mexico more than 150 people are thought to have died from the virusGood hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission Q&A: Swine flu Swine flu and travel insurance | SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezingSymptoms mimic those of normal flu. In Mexico more than 150 people are thought to have died from the virusGood hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission Q&A: Swine flu Swine flu and travel insurance |
| But patients are being asked not to go into GP surgeries in order to minimise the risk of spreading the disease to others. Instead, they should stay at home and call their healthcare provider for advice. | But patients are being asked not to go into GP surgeries in order to minimise the risk of spreading the disease to others. Instead, they should stay at home and call their healthcare provider for advice. |
| 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. |
| The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Mexico, also urging travellers to "consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of flu-like symptoms". | The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Mexico, also urging travellers to "consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of flu-like symptoms". |
| The department has suspended routine consular and visa services at the Mexico City embassy. | The department has suspended routine consular and visa services at the Mexico City embassy. |
| On Tuesday, Thomas Cook cancelled all Thomas Cook and Airtours holidays to the resort of Cancun for the next seven days. | On Tuesday, Thomas Cook cancelled all Thomas Cook and Airtours holidays to the resort of Cancun for the next seven days. |
| Holiday firms Thomson and First Choice have cancelled all outbound flights to Cancun and Cozumel, up to and including 8 May, and are starting repatriation flights for British holidaymakers already in Mexico. | Holiday firms Thomson and First Choice have cancelled all outbound flights to Cancun and Cozumel, up to and including 8 May, and are starting repatriation flights for British holidaymakers already in Mexico. |
| British Airways, which has four flights a week to Mexico City, said it would not be cancelling any flights. | British Airways, which has four flights a week to Mexico City, said it would not be cancelling any flights. |
| Have you cancelled a journey to one of the affected areas? Have you or someone you know recently returned from one? Tell us how you have been affected by the issues in this story. Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Have you cancelled a journey to one of the affected areas? Have you or someone you know recently returned from one? Tell us how you have been affected by the issues in this story. Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |