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UK prepared for swine flu - Brown UK prepared for swine flu - Brown
(41 minutes later)
The UK is one of the best prepared countries to deal with swine flu and "all action necessary" will be taken to stop its spread, Gordon Brown has said.The UK is one of the best prepared countries to deal with swine flu and "all action necessary" will be taken to stop its spread, Gordon Brown has said.
The prime minister took part in a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra by phone from Poland.The prime minister took part in a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra by phone from Poland.
The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Mexico. Three tour firms have stopped flights.The Foreign Office is advising against all but essential travel to Mexico. Three tour firms have stopped flights.
Following the confirmation of two cases in Scotland, the health secretary said there would undoubtedly be more.Following the confirmation of two cases in Scotland, the health secretary said there would undoubtedly be more.
The first UK cases are Iain and Dawn Askham, of Polmont, near Falkirk, who had been on honeymoon in Mexico.The first UK cases are Iain and Dawn Askham, of Polmont, near Falkirk, who had been on honeymoon in Mexico.
The prime minister said: "I understand the very real concern that people have in Britain and across the world.The prime minister said: "I understand the very real concern that people have in Britain and across the world.
"As you know there have been two confirmed cases and I believe that both patients are in better health and one may even leave hospital later today."As you know there have been two confirmed cases and I believe that both patients are in better health and one may even leave hospital later today.
Iain and Dawn Askham had been on honeymoon in MexicoIain and Dawn Askham had been on honeymoon in Mexico
"Let me reassure you that we have been preparing for this kind of scenario for many years.""Let me reassure you that we have been preparing for this kind of scenario for many years."
Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "There are no more confirmed cases at this stage, although undoubtedly there will be.Health Secretary Alan Johnson said: "There are no more confirmed cases at this stage, although undoubtedly there will be.
"But all the cases, anywhere other than Mexico, have been very mild symptoms, from which people have recovered.""But all the cases, anywhere other than Mexico, have been very mild symptoms, from which people have recovered."
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its alert level to four - two steps short of declaring a pandemic.The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its alert level to four - two steps short of declaring a pandemic.
Level four means the virus is showing a sustained ability to pass from human to human, and is able to cause community-level outbreaks.Level four means the virus is showing a sustained ability to pass from human to human, and is able to cause community-level outbreaks.
Following the raising of this alert level, a statement on the Foreign Office website said: "Cases of swine influenza have been reported in Mexico City and a number of other locations across the country.Following the raising of this alert level, a statement on the Foreign Office website said: "Cases of swine influenza have been reported in Mexico City and a number of other locations across the country.
"Travellers should consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of flu-like symptoms.""Travellers should consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of flu-like symptoms."
The department has suspended routine consular and visa services at the Mexico City embassy.The department has suspended routine consular and visa services at the Mexico City embassy.
Swine flu: mapping the outbreakSwine flu: mapping the outbreak
The statement said: "British nationals should continue to follow local advice on precautions to take to avoid exposure to the influenza."The statement said: "British nationals should continue to follow local advice on precautions to take to avoid exposure to the influenza."
Holiday firms Thomson and First Choice cancelled flights to the Mexican resort of Cancun on Tuesday morning - one from Manchester and the other from Gatwick - and are reviewing future flights.Holiday firms Thomson and First Choice cancelled flights to the Mexican resort of Cancun on Tuesday morning - one from Manchester and the other from Gatwick - and are reviewing future flights.
A spokesman said: "While we do appreciate that the new news may be a great disappointment to customers, we hope they will also understand that their health and safety is of paramount importance to us."A spokesman said: "While we do appreciate that the new news may be a great disappointment to customers, we hope they will also understand that their health and safety is of paramount importance to us."
The company said it would start repatriation flights for British holidaymakers already in Mexico.The company said it would start repatriation flights for British holidaymakers already in Mexico.
Thomas Cook said all Thomas Cook and Airtours holidays to Cancun have been cancelled for the next seven days.Thomas Cook said all Thomas Cook and Airtours holidays to Cancun have been cancelled for the next seven days.
Passengers flying back into the UK from Mexico saw airport staff wearing masksPassengers flying back into the UK from Mexico saw airport staff wearing masks
British Airways, which has four flights a week to Mexico City, said it would not be cancelling any flights.British Airways, which has four flights a week to Mexico City, said it would not be cancelling any flights.
Johnson said UK preparations had been going on for the last five years to cope with a flu pandemic.Johnson said UK preparations had been going on for the last five years to cope with a flu pandemic.
He said the government proposed to use its stockpile of anti-viral drugs to treat patients showing symptoms of the disease, should the virus start spreading in the UK.He said the government proposed to use its stockpile of anti-viral drugs to treat patients showing symptoms of the disease, should the virus start spreading in the UK.
Of 14 possible UK cases currently being investigated, all the people involved were well enough to be managed in the community, he told MPs.
England's Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said: "If a new pandemic does start as a result of this outbreak in Mexico and the United States, we can't make it go away, but what we can do through our plans, particularly our stockpiles of anti-virals, is mitigate its effect."England's Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said: "If a new pandemic does start as a result of this outbreak in Mexico and the United States, we can't make it go away, but what we can do through our plans, particularly our stockpiles of anti-virals, is mitigate its effect."
But the Conservatives have criticised the government for falling behind with plans to set up a national flu helpline.But the Conservatives have criticised the government for falling behind with plans to set up a national flu helpline.
The telephone service was supposed to be ready in early 2009 but is not expected to be operational until the autumn.The telephone service was supposed to be ready in early 2009 but is not expected to be operational until the autumn.
Shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien has called on the government to "take action quickly".Shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien has called on the government to "take action quickly".
"The national flu line will be crucial if a pandemic were to happen in Britain, by allowing people to get the information and the anti-virals they will need to fight the flu without having to go to GP surgeries or hospitals," he said."The national flu line will be crucial if a pandemic were to happen in Britain, by allowing people to get the information and the anti-virals they will need to fight the flu without having to go to GP surgeries or hospitals," he said.
Mr and Mrs Askham are continuing to improve at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, where they are being treated following their return from honeymoon in Cancun. They were said to be not particularly ill.Mr and Mrs Askham are continuing to improve at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, where they are being treated following their return from honeymoon in Cancun. They were said to be not particularly ill.
SWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezingSymptoms mimic those of normal flu. In Mexico more than 150 people are thought to have died from the virusGood hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission WHO raises swine flu alert level Thomson cancels Mexico holidays Swine flu and travel insurance Q&A: Swine fluSWINE FLU Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezingSymptoms mimic those of normal flu. In Mexico more than 150 people are thought to have died from the virusGood hygiene like using a tissue and washing hands thoroughly can help reduce transmission WHO raises swine flu alert level Thomson cancels Mexico holidays Swine flu and travel insurance Q&A: Swine flu
Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "I would reiterate that the threat to the public remains low. Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said 23 other people were displaying symptoms across Scotland, but swine flu had not been confirmed.
"The precautionary actions we have taken over the last two days have been important in allowing us to respond appropriately and give us the best prospect of disrupting the spread of the virus." Nine of those people have been in contact with the Askhams. The other 14 have "travel connections" to Mexico.
The chief medical officer for Wales, Tony Jewell, said there were eight suspected cases under investigation in the nation. All are linked to travel in Mexico.
The Department of Health (DoH) said surveillance arrangements were being "stepped up" in the UK, without revealing details. It added the outbreak was "unusual and of concern".The Department of Health (DoH) said surveillance arrangements were being "stepped up" in the UK, without revealing details. It added the outbreak was "unusual and of concern".
Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said people in the UK were "perfectly safe at the moment", and did not need to start wearing facemasks or stop eating pork.Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said people in the UK were "perfectly safe at the moment", and did not need to start wearing facemasks or stop eating pork.
"I don't think people in this country need to be worried at the moment, the focus needs to be on people coming in from Mexico and other areas where this infection has taken hold," he said."I don't think people in this country need to be worried at the moment, the focus needs to be on people coming in from Mexico and other areas where this infection has taken hold," he said.
Sir Liam Donaldson's advice on concerns over swine fluSir Liam Donaldson's advice on concerns over swine flu
The World Health Organization Assistant Director General Dr Keiji Fukuda said the higher alert level signalled a "significant step towards pandemic influenza", but added "we are not there yet".The World Health Organization Assistant Director General Dr Keiji Fukuda said the higher alert level signalled a "significant step towards pandemic influenza", but added "we are not there yet".
He said the virus had become too widespread to make containment a feasible option, and said countries must focus on trying to put measures in place to protect the population.He said the virus had become too widespread to make containment a feasible option, and said countries must focus on trying to put measures in place to protect the population.
In Mexico, swine flu has been confirmed in 20 of the 152 known deaths.In Mexico, swine flu has been confirmed in 20 of the 152 known deaths.
In almost all swine flu cases outside Mexico, people have been only mildly ill and have made a full recovery.In almost all swine flu cases outside Mexico, people have been only mildly ill and have made a full recovery.
There are fears that the virus has begun to spread around the world:There are fears that the virus has begun to spread around the world:
  • There are 50 laboratory-confirmed cases of swine flu in the US, 20 in Mexico, six in Canada, and two in Spain, WHO said. New Zealand has confirmed three cases and Israel one
  • Tests are also being carried out on individuals or groups in Australia, Brazil, and South Korea, who fell ill following travel to Mexico
  • A number of countries in Asia, Latin America and Europe have begun screening airport passengers for symptoms, while Germany's biggest tour operator has suspended trips to Mexico
  • Several countries have banned imports of raw pork and pork products from Mexico and parts of the US, although experts say there is no evidence to link exposure to pork with infection
  • There are 50 laboratory-confirmed cases of swine flu in the US, 20 in Mexico, six in Canada, and two in Spain, WHO said. New Zealand has confirmed three cases and Israel one
  • Tests are also being carried out on individuals or groups in Australia, Brazil, and South Korea, who fell ill following travel to Mexico
  • A number of countries in Asia, Latin America and Europe have begun screening airport passengers for symptoms, while Germany's biggest tour operator has suspended trips to Mexico
  • Several countries have banned imports of raw pork and pork products from Mexico and parts of the US, although experts say there is no evidence to link exposure to pork with infection
UK guidance is that anyone with flu-like symptoms who might have been in contact with the virus - such as those living or travelling in the affected areas of Mexico - should seek medical advice.UK guidance is that anyone with flu-like symptoms who might have been in contact with the virus - such as those living or travelling in the affected areas of Mexico - should seek medical advice.
But patients are being asked not to go into GP surgeries in order to minimise the risk of spreading the disease to others. Instead, they should stay at home and call their healthcare provider for advice.But patients are being asked not to go into GP surgeries in order to minimise the risk of spreading the disease to others. Instead, they should stay at home and call their healthcare provider for advice.
Swine flu is usually found in pigs and contracted only by people in contact with the animals.Swine flu is usually found in pigs and contracted only by people in contact with the animals.
Have you cancelled a journey to one of the affected areas? Have you or someone you know recently returned from one? Tell us how you have been affected by the issues in this story. Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Have you cancelled a journey to one of the affected areas? Have you or someone you know recently returned from one? Tell us how you have been affected by the issues in this story. Send us your comments and experiences using the form 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 & 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