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EU warns against swine flu panic EU warns against swine flu panic
(20 minutes later)
The EU's health commissioner has urged Europeans not to panic over swine flu, as ministers prepare for emergency talks on ways to contain the virus.The EU's health commissioner has urged Europeans not to panic over swine flu, as ministers prepare for emergency talks on ways to contain the virus.
"We have to exercise vigilance, we should not panic, we have to be prepared," Androulla Vassiliou said."We have to exercise vigilance, we should not panic, we have to be prepared," Androulla Vassiliou said.
The ministers are to discuss a possible EU-wide travel advisory for Mexico.The ministers are to discuss a possible EU-wide travel advisory for Mexico.
The World Health Organization has raised the alert to level five, its second highest, and advised governments to activate pandemic contingency plans.The World Health Organization has raised the alert to level five, its second highest, and advised governments to activate pandemic contingency plans.
In Mexico, the epicentre of the outbreak, President Felipe Calderon urged people to stay at home over the next five days.In Mexico, the epicentre of the outbreak, President Felipe Calderon urged people to stay at home over the next five days.
CONFIRMED CASES Mexico: 168 suspected deaths - eight confirmedUS: one death, at least 91 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 13 confirmed casesCanada: 19 confirmed casesUK: 5 confirmed casesSpain: 10 confirmed casesGermany: 3 confirmed cases Israel, Costa Rica: 2 confirmed cases eachThe Netherland, Switzerland, Austria, Peru: 1 confirmed case each Mapping the outbreak Economy squeezed by swine flu Mexico: First swine flu cases Africa awaits two swine flu testsCONFIRMED CASES Mexico: 168 suspected deaths - eight confirmedUS: one death, at least 91 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 13 confirmed casesCanada: 19 confirmed casesUK: 5 confirmed casesSpain: 10 confirmed casesGermany: 3 confirmed cases Israel, Costa Rica: 2 confirmed cases eachThe Netherland, Switzerland, Austria, Peru: 1 confirmed case each Mapping the outbreak Economy squeezed by swine flu Mexico: First swine flu cases Africa awaits two swine flu tests
There are many cases elsewhere - including the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Israel, and New Zealand.There are many cases elsewhere - including the US, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Israel, and New Zealand.
The EU's director-general of health and consumer protection told Reuters news agency that deaths from the disease were expected in Europe.The EU's director-general of health and consumer protection told Reuters news agency that deaths from the disease were expected in Europe.
At the meeting of health ministers in Luxembourg, a French proposal of issuing a continent-wide travel advisory for Mexico will be discussed - though it is unclear whether it is in the power of the EU executive to impose such a ban. None of the dozens of cases of swine flu reported on the continent so far has been serious. The only deaths from the virus have been recorded in Mexico and the US.
At the meeting of health ministers in Luxembourg, a French proposal for a continent-wide travel advisory for Mexico will be discussed.
It is unclear whether the EU executive has the power to impose a travel ban.
Several countries have restricted travel to Mexico and many tour operators have cancelled holidays.Several countries have restricted travel to Mexico and many tour operators have cancelled holidays.
Other countries are resisting calls to implement travel bans or close borders, on the grounds - backed by the WHO - that there is little evidence of their efficacy. Other members are resisting calls to implement travel bans or close borders, on the grounds - backed by the WHO - that there is little evidence of their efficacy.
In the latest developments:In the latest developments:
  • The Netherlands confirms its first case of swine flu, in a three-year-old boy recently returned from Mexico. Cases have also been confirmed in Switzerland, Costa Rica and Peru
  • Ghana has become the latest country to ban pork imports as a precaution against swine flu, though no cases have been found in the West African country
  • China's health minister says that the country's scientists have developed a "sensitive and fast" test for spotting swine flu in conjunction with US scientists and the WHO. The country has recorded no incidence of the flu yet.
  • The Netherlands confirms its first case of swine flu, in a three-year-old boy recently returned from Mexico. Cases have also been confirmed in Switzerland, Costa Rica and Peru
  • Ghana has become the latest country to ban pork imports as a precaution against swine flu, though no cases have been found in the West African country
  • China's health minister says that the country's scientists have developed a "sensitive and fast" test for spotting swine flu in conjunction with US scientists and the WHO. The country has recorded no incidence of the flu yet.
The EU ministers will also try to agree on how to refer to the virus.
The European Commission has been calling it "novel flu", replacing the word "swine" to avoid prompting a fall in demand for pork and bacon.
On Wednesday, Egypt began a mass slaughter of its pigs - even though the WHO says the virus was now being transmitted from human to human.
Have you been affected by swine flu? You can send your experiences using the form below. You can also send your questions about the decision to raise the alert and we will send it to our health experts.Have you been affected by swine flu? You can send your experiences using the form below. You can also send your questions about the decision to raise the alert and we will send it to our health experts.
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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