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UK homes to get swine flu advice UK homes to get swine flu advice
(29 minutes later)
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.
The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, is being briefed on the latest developments by the Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, and Health Secretary Alan Johnson. The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has been briefed on the latest developments by the Chief Medical Officer for England, Sir Liam Donaldson, and Health Secretary Alan Johnson.
Information campaignInformation campaign
Delivery of the government leaflets is due to start within the next few days. Delivery of the government leaflets should start within 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.
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.
Guidelines for doctors issued in recent months had anticipated using public information leaflets in such a situation, said BBC health correspondent Branwen Jeffreys.
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.
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 href="/1/hi/health/8021958.stm">Q&A: What is swine flu? class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8022516.stm">The world response to flu crisis class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/8023515.stm">Scotland 'could help combat flu' FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">More from Today programme
"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". Scientific evidence did not support healthy people wearing facemasks while going about normal life, he added.
The Scottish government says it already has a high number of face masks and does not need to stockpile more. The Scottish government says it already has a high number of facemasks and does not need to stockpile more.
Chief medical officer for Scotland, Dr Harry Burns, is hoping for the results of tests on 23 people displaying swine flu symptoms. It is awaiting 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, although doctors say it is unlikely they will be released on Wednesday.
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. CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES Mexico: 159 suspected deaths - seven confirmed cases US: 64 confirmed casesCanada: 13 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 3 confirmed casesUK, Spain, Israel: 2 confirmed cases eachGermany: 1 confirmed caseCountries with suspected cases: Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Australia, and South Korea, and seven EU states class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8022041.stm">In pictures: Swine flu spreads class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8021483.stm">Life at centre of the outbreak class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/8018428.stm">Swine flu: Your experiences class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8021547.stm">Mapping the outbreak
The couple were mixing with people at home and work for five days after their return from honeymoon in Cancun, before 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 class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8021547.stm">Mapping the outbreak class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8023820.stm">Mexico imposes swine flu measures class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8022041.stm">In pictures: Swine flu spreads class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/8018428.stm">Swine flu: Your experiences Eight suspected cases are under investigation in Wales - all linked to travel in Mexico - while none have yet been reported in Northern Ireland.
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.
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, 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: "We can't make [a pandemic] 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." 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 line would be crucial in giving people access to information and medication without having to visit GPs 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."
Prof John Oxford, of Barts and the London School of Medicine, said he was optimistic about the UK's ability to deal with any pandemic.
"The virus seems to be rather less virulent abroad and not many people have been affected yet. The British government has a large stock of anti-viral drugs," he said.
'Armageddon' Virus'Armageddon' Virus
However, he warned: "There's a possibility always with a virus like influenza, with its 'chameleon' changes... it could mutate its way out of a vaccine." Prof John Oxford, of Barts and the London School of Medicine, said he was optimistic about the UK's ability to deal with any pandemic, thanks to its large stock of anti-viral drugs.
Prof Oxford said a worst-case scenario would involve the virus spreading to south-east Asia where it could mix with the highly virulent H5 form to create an "Armageddon" virus. However, he warned that the virus could mutate to make drugs or vaccines ineffective.
The virus could spread to south-east Asia where it could mix with the highly virulent H5 form to create an "Armageddon" virus, said Prof Oxford.
However, even in this situation, the UK had tens millions of vaccines which would be effective, he added.However, even in this situation, the UK had tens millions of vaccines which would be effective, he added.
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 new periods of time off until further notice, as it anticipates more calls. Its website has been much busier than usual.
There were 57% more visits to the NHS Direct website on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning compared with the same period last week. SYMPTOMS - WHAT TO DO Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary seasonal flu - fever, cough, sore throat, aches, chills and fatigue If you have flu symptoms and recently visited affected areas of Mexico, seek medical adviceIf you suspect you are infected, stay at home and take advice by telephone initially, in order to minimise the risk of infection class="" href="/1/hi/health/8021958.stm">Q&A: What is swine flu? class="" href="/1/hi/health/8022102.stm">Swine flu: How serious a threat?
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 travelling in 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 class="" href="/1/hi/business/8022426.stm">Swine flu and travel insurance But patients are being asked to minimise the risk of spreading the disease by not going to GP surgeries. Instead, they should stay at home and call their healthcare provider.
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 and 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, all Thomas Cook and Airtours holidays to Cancun were cancelled for 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 outbound flights to Cancun and Cozumel, up to and including 8 May, and are repatriating British holidaymakers from 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 is not cancelling its four weekly flights to Mexico City.
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 & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions