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Adverts seek to combat flu threat Adverts seek to combat flu threat
(19 minutes later)
An advertising campaign promoting good hygiene to help combat the threat of swine flu has been launched in the UK.An advertising campaign promoting good hygiene to help combat the threat of swine flu has been launched in the UK.
The Department of Health's Catch it, Bin it, Kill it! adverts urge people to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, throw them away and wash their hands.The Department of Health's Catch it, Bin it, Kill it! adverts urge people to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, throw them away and wash their hands.
Five people in the UK, including a girl of 12, are known to have the virus, but all are responding well to treatment.Five people in the UK, including a girl of 12, are known to have the virus, but all are responding well to treatment.
Hundreds of British tourists are flying home on special charter flights from Mexico, where the outbreak started.Hundreds of British tourists are flying home on special charter flights from Mexico, where the outbreak started.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its alert to level five - one short of a full-blown pandemic.The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its alert to level five - one short of a full-blown pandemic.
"When you cough or sneeze, your germs go everywhere. Fast. And once they've hit a surface, they can survive for hours," warns the Department of Health's print advert."When you cough or sneeze, your germs go everywhere. Fast. And once they've hit a surface, they can survive for hours," warns the Department of Health's print advert.
"Covering your mouth and nose with your hand won't stop them. But a tissue will."Covering your mouth and nose with your hand won't stop them. But a tissue will.
"Catch the sneeze, then bin the tissue and wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible to kill the germs.""Catch the sneeze, then bin the tissue and wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible to kill the germs."
'Increased urgency''Increased urgency'
BBC health correspondent Jane Dreaper said it was advice which held true for normal winter flu, but was especially important now.BBC health correspondent Jane Dreaper said it was advice which held true for normal winter flu, but was especially important now.
Five cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the UK - all in people who have recently returned from Mexico.
A 41-year-old woman from Redditch, Worcestershire, a 22-year-old from Barnet, north London, a couple from near Falkirk and a 12-year-old from Devon have all been diagnosed.
All had travelled recently from Mexico, where there have been almost 160 suspected deaths from swine flu.
The schoolgirl, named locally as 12-year-old Amy Whitehouse, had been on the same flight home as the first patients confirmed in the UK, Iain and Dawn Askham, from Polmont, near Falkirk.
The girl's school, Paignton Community College, has been closed for at least seven days and pupils are being offered anti-viral drugs.
Announcing the level five alert on Wednesday, WHO director general Margaret Chan urged all countries to activate their pandemic plans, including heightened surveillance and infection-control measures.Announcing the level five alert on Wednesday, WHO director general Margaret Chan urged all countries to activate their pandemic plans, including heightened surveillance and infection-control measures.
CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES Mexico: 159 suspected deaths, seven confirmed casesUS: one death, at least 91 confirmed casesCanada: 13 confirmed casesUK: five confirmed casesSpain: 10 confirmed casesGermany, New Zealand: three confirmed cases eachIsrael: two confirmed casesAustria: one confirmed case In pictures: Swine flu spreads Mapping the outbreak Life at centre of the outbreak Swine flu: Your experiences CONFIRMED & SUSPECTED CASES Mexico: 159 suspected deaths, seven confirmed casesUS: one death, at least 91 confirmed casesCanada: 13 confirmed casesUK: five confirmed casesSpain: 10 confirmed casesGermany, New Zealand: three confirmed cases eachIsrael: two confirmed casesAustria: one confirmed case In pictures: Swine flu spreads Mapping the outbreak Life at centre of the outbreak Swine flu: Your experiences
She said action should be undertaken with "increased urgency", adding: "It really is the whole of humanity that is under threat in a pandemic."She said action should be undertaken with "increased urgency", adding: "It really is the whole of humanity that is under threat in a pandemic."
The move followed the death of a 23-month-old Mexican child in Texas, US - the first death from swine flu outside Mexico, where the outbreak originated. The move followed the death of a 23-month-old Mexican child in Texas, US - the first death from swine flu outside Mexico.
Earlier on Wednesday, during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, Gordon Brown said that the UK was taking "the preparations that are necessary and the precautions to prevent the incidence of this disease in this country".Earlier on Wednesday, during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, Gordon Brown said that the UK was taking "the preparations that are necessary and the precautions to prevent the incidence of this disease in this country".
This included enhanced airport checks, expanding anti-viral stocks from 35 million to 50 million by the end of May, ordering extra face masks and printing an information leaflet for every family, he said.This included enhanced airport checks, expanding anti-viral stocks from 35 million to 50 million by the end of May, ordering extra face masks and printing an information leaflet for every family, he said.
Delivery of public information leaflets is expected to begin within days, as part of planned measures to cope with potential pandemics.Delivery of public information leaflets is expected to begin within days, as part of planned measures to cope with potential pandemics.
The government's emergency committee Cobra is considering possible restrictions to large gatherings like concerts and sporting events, although such measures would not be taken yet.The government's emergency committee Cobra is considering possible restrictions to large gatherings like concerts and sporting events, although such measures would not be taken yet.
According to our correspondent, after five years' work on contingency plans for a pandemic, the Department of Health says it is "prepared for the worst - but hoping for the best".According to our correspondent, after five years' work on contingency plans for a pandemic, the Department of Health says it is "prepared for the worst - but hoping for the best".
Supplies of antibiotics are to be increased to deal with any complications arising as a result of flu infections, although the Conservatives say ministers have been slow to stockpile the drugs.Supplies of antibiotics are to be increased to deal with any complications arising as a result of flu infections, although the Conservatives say ministers have been slow to stockpile the drugs.
The Tories have also attacked the government over a planned national pandemic flu helpline that is unlikely to be operational before the autumn.The Tories have also attacked the government over a planned national pandemic flu helpline that is unlikely to be operational before the autumn.
From Thursday, however, the public can call a telephone number for recorded information about the virus - 0800 1513513.From Thursday, however, the public can call a telephone number for recorded information about the virus - 0800 1513513.
In Scotland, there will be a dedicated number available for people to ring and speak to someone about their concerns - 08454 24 24 24.In Scotland, there will be a dedicated number available for people to ring and speak to someone about their concerns - 08454 24 24 24.
Suspected cases
NHS Direct has taken thousands of calls about swine flu this week, while daily visits to its website have reached 85,000, compared with about 55,000 a week earlier.NHS Direct has taken thousands of calls about swine flu this week, while daily visits to its website have reached 85,000, compared with about 55,000 a week earlier.
The UK's confirmed swine flu cases are four adults - a 41-year-old woman from Redditch, Worcestershire, a 22-year-old from Barnet, north London, and a couple from near Falkirk.
A Devon schoolgirl, named locally as 12-year-old Amy Whitehouse, has also been confirmed to have the virus.
Shared flight
All had travelled recently from Mexico, where there have been almost 160 suspected deaths from swine flu.
The Devon schoolgirl had been on the same flight home as the first patients confirmed in the UK, Iain and Dawn Askham, from Polmont, near Falkirk.
SYMPTOMS - WHAT TO DO Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary seasonal flu - fever, cough, sore throat, aches, chills and fatigueIf 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 infectionSwine flu information line available from Thursday 0800 1513513 Q&A: What is swine flu? Swine flu: How serious a threat?SYMPTOMS - WHAT TO DO Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary seasonal flu - fever, cough, sore throat, aches, chills and fatigueIf 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 infectionSwine flu information line available from Thursday 0800 1513513 Q&A: What is swine flu? Swine flu: How serious a threat?
The girl's school, Paignton Community College, has been closed for at least seven days and pupils are being offered anti-viral drugs.
The health minister in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has said 32 cases are being checked there.The health minister in Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has said 32 cases are being checked there.
Ms Sturgeon said eight people who had been in contact with the Askhams had tested negative, while the result of one other remained outstanding.Ms Sturgeon said eight people who had been in contact with the Askhams had tested negative, while the result of one other remained outstanding.
Welsh Health Minister Edwina Hart told the National Assembly for Wales that as well as the five confirmed cases, a further 76 patients were being tested across the UK, 20 of them in Wales.Welsh Health Minister Edwina Hart told the National Assembly for Wales that as well as the five confirmed cases, a further 76 patients were being tested across the UK, 20 of them in Wales.
No cases have yet been reported in Northern Ireland.No cases have yet been reported in Northern Ireland.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it was not releasing details about any suspected cases in England until swine flu was confirmed.The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it was not releasing details about any suspected cases in England until swine flu was confirmed.
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