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| EU warns against swine flu panic | EU warns against swine flu panic |
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| EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou has said a possible swine flu global epidemic, or pandemic, would not necessarily cause widespread deaths. | EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou has said a possible swine flu global epidemic, or pandemic, would not necessarily cause widespread deaths. |
| She said Europe was well prepared and there was there was "no need to panic". | She said Europe was well prepared and there was there was "no need to panic". |
| She was speaking after an emergency meeting of health ministers on ways to contain the virus, which has been confirmed in six EU countries. | She was speaking after an emergency meeting of health ministers on ways to contain the virus, which has been confirmed in six EU countries. |
| The ministers rejected a French proposal for a continent-wide suspension on flights to Mexico. | The ministers rejected a French proposal for a continent-wide suspension on flights to Mexico. |
| After the talks in Luxembourg Ms Vassiliou said: "We are worried, but we are on top of things." | After the talks in Luxembourg Ms Vassiliou said: "We are worried, but we are on top of things." |
| CONFIRMED CASES Mexico: 168 suspected deaths - 12 confirmedUS: one death, at least 109 confirmed casesNew Zealand: 3 confirmed, 13 probable casesCanada: 19 confirmed casesUK: 8 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 Mexico: First swine flu cases class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/8027996.stm">Border town not slowing down Africa awaits two swine flu tests | |
| She added: "The fact that we have been preparing ourselves in the EU for an event such as this for some years now, and the experience gained so far, puts us in a much stronger position." | She added: "The fact that we have been preparing ourselves in the EU for an event such as this for some years now, and the experience gained so far, puts us in a much stronger position." |
| None of the dozens of cases of swine flu reported on the continent so far has been severe. | None of the dozens of cases of swine flu reported on the continent so far has been severe. |
| The health ministers agreed to work "without delay" with pharmaceutical companies to develop a vaccine. | The health ministers agreed to work "without delay" with pharmaceutical companies to develop a vaccine. |
| Rejecting the French plan on suspending flights to Mexico - the main focus of the outbreak - they said it was up to member states to set their own policies. | Rejecting the French plan on suspending flights to Mexico - the main focus of the outbreak - they said it was up to member states to set their own policies. |
| 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. |
| Earlier the UN's World Health Organization (WHO) - which increased its pandemic alert to five on Wednesday - said it had no immediate plans for a further rise. | Earlier the UN's World Health Organization (WHO) - which increased its pandemic alert to five on Wednesday - said it had no immediate plans for a further rise. |
| "We do not have any evidence to suggest that we should move to phase six today, or any such move is imminent right now," said WHO Assistant Director General Keiji Fukuda. | "We do not have any evidence to suggest that we should move to phase six today, or any such move is imminent right now," said WHO Assistant Director General Keiji Fukuda. |
| In the latest developments: | In the latest developments: |
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| SYMPTOMS - WHAT TO DO Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary seasonal flu - fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigueIf you have flu symptoms and recently visited affected areas of Mexico, you should seek medical adviceIf you suspect you are infected, you should stay at home and take advice by telephone initially, in order to minimise the risk of infection Q&A: What is swine flu? In pictures: Swine flu concern href="/1/hi/world/americas/8026113.stm">Mexican economy squeezed by flu The quest for a swine flu vaccine | |
| In Mexico, the number of confirmed cases rose to 97 - up from 26 on Wednesday. Dr Fukuda said this was due to many laboratory results coming in. | In Mexico, the number of confirmed cases rose to 97 - up from 26 on Wednesday. Dr Fukuda said this was due to many laboratory results coming in. |
| The Mexican government increased the number of confirmed deaths from swine flu from 8 to 12. | The Mexican government increased the number of confirmed deaths from swine flu from 8 to 12. |
| President Felipe Calderon has urged people to stay at home over the next five days. | President Felipe Calderon has urged people to stay at home over the next five days. |
| Meanwhile the WHO says it will now call the virus influenza A (H1N1) rather than swine flu - which it says is misleading as pork meat is safe and the virus is being transmitted from human to human. | Meanwhile the WHO says it will now call the virus influenza A (H1N1) rather than swine flu - which it says is misleading as pork meat is safe and the virus is being transmitted from human to human. |
| Egypt has begun a mass slaughter of its pigs, and Ghana is the latest country to ban pork imports as a precaution against swine flu. | Egypt has begun a mass slaughter of its pigs, and Ghana is the latest country to ban pork imports as a precaution against swine flu. |
| Have you been affected by swine flu? You can send your experiences using the form below. | Have you been affected by swine flu? You can send your experiences using the form below. |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box 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 |