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| Irish swine flu case is confirmed | Irish swine flu case is confirmed |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| One man in the Republic of Ireland has tested positive for swine flu, initial tests have indicated. | |
| The case is in an adult male living in the east of the country. It is understood the man had recently returned from Mexico. | The case is in an adult male living in the east of the country. It is understood the man had recently returned from Mexico. |
| Six people in Northern Ireland have been given anti-viral drugs as a precaution against the swine flu virus. | Six people in Northern Ireland have been given anti-viral drugs as a precaution against the swine flu virus. |
| The results of tests on these cases are not yet known, while 14 people have now tested negative for the virus. | The results of tests on these cases are not yet known, while 14 people have now tested negative for the virus. |
| Northern Ireland has been stepping up preparations to deal with a possible swine flu pandemic. | Northern Ireland has been stepping up preparations to deal with a possible swine flu pandemic. |
| Four other people in the Republic of Ireland have been given the all-clear. | Four other people in the Republic of Ireland have been given the all-clear. |
| NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said masks and protective clothing were being sent out to doctors' surgeries and all should be equipped by Friday. | NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said masks and protective clothing were being sent out to doctors' surgeries and all should be equipped by Friday. |
| The move follows the World Health Organisation's (WHO) decision to raise the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase four to five - indicating human-to-human transmission in at least two countries. | The move follows the World Health Organisation's (WHO) decision to raise the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase four to five - indicating human-to-human transmission in at least two countries. |
| It is a "strong signal that a pandemic is imminent", the WHO says. | It is a "strong signal that a pandemic is imminent", the WHO says. |
| Mr McGimpsey said that the masks being sent to surgeries were equipped with respirators. | Mr McGimpsey said that the masks being sent to surgeries were equipped with respirators. |
| "The key advice is if you are feeling unwell don't go out of the house, stay at home, ring the GP and the GP will look after you," he said. | "The key advice is if you are feeling unwell don't go out of the house, stay at home, ring the GP and the GP will look after you," he said. |
| He added that the current medical advice was that the paper-type disposable masks featuring in coverage from the outbreak in Mexico would be of limited use in preventing infection. | He added that the current medical advice was that the paper-type disposable masks featuring in coverage from the outbreak in Mexico would be of limited use in preventing infection. |
| "You would find a handkerchief just as useful," he said. "And it may give a false sense of security." | "You would find a handkerchief just as useful," he said. "And it may give a false sense of security." |
| Helpline | Helpline |
| A Northern Ireland helpline has opened to give advice to anyone concerned about swine flu. The free-phone number is 0800 0514 142. | A Northern Ireland helpline has opened to give advice to anyone concerned about swine flu. The free-phone number is 0800 0514 142. |
| Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Elizabeth Mitchell said: "The key message to the public is not to be alarmed but to be prepared for a potential pandemic. | Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Elizabeth Mitchell said: "The key message to the public is not to be alarmed but to be prepared for a potential pandemic. |
| Government advice Wash your hands regularlyUse tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneezeYou cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products | Government advice Wash your hands regularlyUse tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneezeYou cannot get swine flu from eating pork or pork products |
| "Evidence to date suggests that, other than in Mexico, the majority of cases have had a relatively mild flu-like illness which responds well to treatment with anti-virals. | "Evidence to date suggests that, other than in Mexico, the majority of cases have had a relatively mild flu-like illness which responds well to treatment with anti-virals. |
| "We have been planning for a situation like this for some years. In fact, the UK is recognised as among the best prepared for any potential pandemic. | "We have been planning for a situation like this for some years. In fact, the UK is recognised as among the best prepared for any potential pandemic. |
| "The preparations we have in place and are continuing to make, will help us respond well in the event of a pandemic. | "The preparations we have in place and are continuing to make, will help us respond well in the event of a pandemic. |
| "GPs across the country have been notified and made aware of the symptoms and what to do if they suspect a patient has pandemic flu. | "GPs across the country have been notified and made aware of the symptoms and what to do if they suspect a patient has pandemic flu. |
| "We have also purchased enough anti-virals to treat up to 50% of the population and are rapidly moving to buy enough to treat 75%." | "We have also purchased enough anti-virals to treat up to 50% of the population and are rapidly moving to buy enough to treat 75%." |
| An emergency control centre has been set up at Stormont to deal with any outbreak. | An emergency control centre has been set up at Stormont to deal with any outbreak. |