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| 'Too early' to say flu virus mild | 'Too early' to say flu virus mild |
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| It is too early to assume the swine flu outbreak is a mild infection just because no-one in the UK has died, England's chief medical officer says. | It is too early to assume the swine flu outbreak is a mild infection just because no-one in the UK has died, England's chief medical officer says. |
| Sir Liam Donaldson warned against complacency because flu viruses could change character "very rapidly". | Sir Liam Donaldson warned against complacency because flu viruses could change character "very rapidly". |
| A new case of the H1N1 virus in England has taken the confirmed UK total to 28, the Department of Health said. | A new case of the H1N1 virus in England has taken the confirmed UK total to 28, the Department of Health said. |
| Leaflets suggesting ways people can treat and prevent catching swine flu have begun dropping through doors. | Leaflets suggesting ways people can treat and prevent catching swine flu have begun dropping through doors. |
| We must not be complacent. We know that flu viruses can change their character very rapidly as they move through populations Sir Liam DonaldsonEngland's chief medical officer Pandemic: When do schools close? | We must not be complacent. We know that flu viruses can change their character very rapidly as they move through populations Sir Liam DonaldsonEngland's chief medical officer Pandemic: When do schools close? |
| Sir Liam, who updated the government's weekly cabinet meeting on the flu situation, told BBC News: "We may see an apparent peak in the incidents over the next month or so, but that doesn't mean it's gone away. | Sir Liam, who updated the government's weekly cabinet meeting on the flu situation, told BBC News: "We may see an apparent peak in the incidents over the next month or so, but that doesn't mean it's gone away. |
| "It could be that we'll see a resurgence of the virus in the autumn and winter when the normal flu season starts. | "It could be that we'll see a resurgence of the virus in the autumn and winter when the normal flu season starts. |
| "We must not be complacent. We know that flu viruses can change their character very rapidly as they move through populations." | "We must not be complacent. We know that flu viruses can change their character very rapidly as they move through populations." |
| He added: "These next few months are vitally important in understanding what sort of virus we're dealing with." | He added: "These next few months are vitally important in understanding what sort of virus we're dealing with." |
| The latest case of swine flu, confirmed on Tuesday, was in an adult from the Slough area of Berkshire, the South Central Strategic Health Authority said. | The latest case of swine flu, confirmed on Tuesday, was in an adult from the Slough area of Berkshire, the South Central Strategic Health Authority said. |
| 'Quarantine rooms' | 'Quarantine rooms' |
| The individual, who is associated with travel to Mexico, is responding well to antiviral drugs, the authority added. | The individual, who is associated with travel to Mexico, is responding well to antiviral drugs, the authority added. |
| It brings the overall totals to 24 in England and four in Scotland. name="return"> class="bodl" href="#flumap">See a map of swine flu cases in the UK | |
| Meanwhile Department of Health leaflets, stressing the importance of good hygiene, are being delivered across the UK. | Meanwhile Department of Health leaflets, stressing the importance of good hygiene, are being delivered across the UK. |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme |
| A spokesman said: "It is right that we are preparing for the possibility of a global pandemic. | A spokesman said: "It is right that we are preparing for the possibility of a global pandemic. |
| "The UK's arrangements are continuing to ensure that we are well-placed to deal with this new infection." | "The UK's arrangements are continuing to ensure that we are well-placed to deal with this new infection." |
| Five UK schools hit by the virus have begun rescheduling GCSEs and A-levels as the summer exam season begins. | Five UK schools hit by the virus have begun rescheduling GCSEs and A-levels as the summer exam season begins. |
| Three of the schools are in London, with one in Devon and one in south Gloucestershire. Four are secondary schools. | Three of the schools are in London, with one in Devon and one in south Gloucestershire. Four are secondary schools. |
| The latest to be hit by the virus is Alleyn's School in Dulwich, London, where five year-seven pupils were diagnosed on Monday. | The latest to be hit by the virus is Alleyn's School in Dulwich, London, where five year-seven pupils were diagnosed on Monday. |
| A sixth pupil from the independent school, who visited the US during the Easter holidays, had already been diagnosed with the virus. | A sixth pupil from the independent school, who visited the US during the Easter holidays, had already been diagnosed with the virus. |
| The school said it was rescheduling A-level exams in art, biology and foreign languages for next week. | The school said it was rescheduling A-level exams in art, biology and foreign languages for next week. |
| In a statement it said: "In line with procedure, the school will be writing to the examination boards who are always sympathetic to students in these circumstances." | In a statement it said: "In line with procedure, the school will be writing to the examination boards who are always sympathetic to students in these circumstances." |
| SWINE FLU ADVICE Use clean tissues when you cough or sneezeBin tissues after useWash hands with soap, hot water or gel NHS: Important Information About Swine Flu [118 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | SWINE FLU ADVICE Use clean tissues when you cough or sneezeBin tissues after useWash hands with soap, hot water or gel NHS: Important Information About Swine Flu [118 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| Nine out of 10 of the parents had now collected the Tamiflu anti-viral medication offered by the Health Protection Agency, the school added. | |
| More than 1,200 private schools have been given legal advice by the Independent Schools Council, which suggests setting up "quarantine rooms" for pupils suspected of having the virus. | More than 1,200 private schools have been given legal advice by the Independent Schools Council, which suggests setting up "quarantine rooms" for pupils suspected of having the virus. |
| It also says schools should provide a policy on what to do in case of a pandemic. | It also says schools should provide a policy on what to do in case of a pandemic. |
| Governors at Dolphin School in Battersea, London, closed its doors as a precaution after it emerged that two pupils - siblings of pupils at Alleyn's - had been confirmed with the virus. | Governors at Dolphin School in Battersea, London, closed its doors as a precaution after it emerged that two pupils - siblings of pupils at Alleyn's - had been confirmed with the virus. |
| Swine flu has already closed South Hampstead High School in north west London, Downend in South Gloucestershire and Paignton Community and Sports College in Devon. | Swine flu has already closed South Hampstead High School in north west London, Downend in South Gloucestershire and Paignton Community and Sports College in Devon. |
| Around 300 other people in the UK are currently awaiting the results of tests to determine whether they have the virus. | Around 300 other people in the UK are currently awaiting the results of tests to determine whether they have the virus. |
| Members of the public can call 0800 1513513 for recorded information about swine flu. The number for NHS 24 in Scotland is 08454 24 24 24. | Members of the public can call 0800 1513513 for recorded information about swine flu. The number for NHS 24 in Scotland is 08454 24 24 24. |
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| Have you or has anyone you know been tested for swine flu? Has your school been affected? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below: | Have you or has anyone you know been tested for swine flu? Has your school been affected? Send us your comments and 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 |