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28/04/2009
Britain Will Take Action To Prevent Swine Flu Spread, PM Says
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has vowed the Government will take "all the action necessary" to prevent the spread of swine flu.
The PM made the pledge as the first British swine flu sufferers were today named today as Iain and Dawn Askham of Polmont, near Falkirk, who caught the disease on honeymoon in Cancun.
Mr Brown said he would be taking part in a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra later.
"I understand the very real concern that people have in Britain and across the world," he said.
"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.
"Let me reassure you that we have been preparing for this kind of scenario for many years."
New travel advice has been issued by the Foreign Office, warning Britons to avoid all but essential travel to Mexico as the UK braced itself for further cases of the virus.
The advice was issued after the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised its alert over the outbreak from level three to level four, which signifies a “significant increase in risk of pandemic”.
The Foreign Office added: "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."
The department has suspended routine consular and visa services at the Mexico City embassy.
The statement said: "British nationals should continue to follow local advice on precautions to take to avoid exposure to the influenza."
Meanwhile, holiday firm Thompson cancelled one flight from Manchester and one from Gatwick to the Mexican resort Cancun, and is 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."
On Monday, Mexican Health Minister Jose Cordova said 149 people had died after contracting swine flu, which is caused when the H1N1 strain associated with pigs, crosses over to the human population.
Some 47 people have been quarantined and are being treated in Australia, and New Zealand’s health minister said the country has 11 confirmed cases.
Meanwhile, there have been six confirmed cases in Canada and further suspected infections reported in Brazil, Colombia, France and Israel.
At least 24 other suspected cases of swine flu have been investigated in the UK since the weekend.
(JM/KMcA)
The PM made the pledge as the first British swine flu sufferers were today named today as Iain and Dawn Askham of Polmont, near Falkirk, who caught the disease on honeymoon in Cancun.
Mr Brown said he would be taking part in a meeting of the government's emergency committee Cobra later.
"I understand the very real concern that people have in Britain and across the world," he said.
"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.
"Let me reassure you that we have been preparing for this kind of scenario for many years."
New travel advice has been issued by the Foreign Office, warning Britons to avoid all but essential travel to Mexico as the UK braced itself for further cases of the virus.
The advice was issued after the World Health Organisation (WHO) raised its alert over the outbreak from level three to level four, which signifies a “significant increase in risk of pandemic”.
The Foreign Office added: "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."
The department has suspended routine consular and visa services at the Mexico City embassy.
The statement said: "British nationals should continue to follow local advice on precautions to take to avoid exposure to the influenza."
Meanwhile, holiday firm Thompson cancelled one flight from Manchester and one from Gatwick to the Mexican resort Cancun, and is 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."
On Monday, Mexican Health Minister Jose Cordova said 149 people had died after contracting swine flu, which is caused when the H1N1 strain associated with pigs, crosses over to the human population.
Some 47 people have been quarantined and are being treated in Australia, and New Zealand’s health minister said the country has 11 confirmed cases.
Meanwhile, there have been six confirmed cases in Canada and further suspected infections reported in Brazil, Colombia, France and Israel.
At least 24 other suspected cases of swine flu have been investigated in the UK since the weekend.
(JM/KMcA)
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15 January 2010
Flu Pandemic 'Exaggerated'
The UK's latest swine flu figures are still on the way down. The new figures have just been been released as several European countries are raising questions about the swine flu crisis - inferring it was "a false pandemic" - allowing pharmaceutical companies to put pressure on health ministers to order more vaccine than their countries needed.
Flu Pandemic 'Exaggerated'
The UK's latest swine flu figures are still on the way down. The new figures have just been been released as several European countries are raising questions about the swine flu crisis - inferring it was "a false pandemic" - allowing pharmaceutical companies to put pressure on health ministers to order more vaccine than their countries needed.
15 October 2009
Mums-In-Wating Get Unproved Flu Jab
It has emerged that pregnant women are to get a form of swine flu vaccine that is not recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The vaccine Pandemrix, which makes up the bulk of NHS supply, contains a chemical called an adjuvant that has never been tested on mums-to-be.
Mums-In-Wating Get Unproved Flu Jab
It has emerged that pregnant women are to get a form of swine flu vaccine that is not recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The vaccine Pandemrix, which makes up the bulk of NHS supply, contains a chemical called an adjuvant that has never been tested on mums-to-be.
02 July 2009
Swine Flu Cases 'Could Reach 100,000 Per Day'
The number of swine flu infections in the UK could be in excess of 100,000 per day by the end of August, the Health Secretary warned today. Speaking at the Commons today, Andy Burnham said the H1N1 virus is spreading to such an extent that it is no longer at the stage of containing the virus, and is now at the "treatment phase".
Swine Flu Cases 'Could Reach 100,000 Per Day'
The number of swine flu infections in the UK could be in excess of 100,000 per day by the end of August, the Health Secretary warned today. Speaking at the Commons today, Andy Burnham said the H1N1 virus is spreading to such an extent that it is no longer at the stage of containing the virus, and is now at the "treatment phase".
28 May 2009
Swine Flu Cases Exceeds 200
More than 200 people in the UK have now been diagnosed with swine flu. The most recent cases include 13 children and one adult from Welford Primary School in Handsworth, Birmingham, which is already linked with 50 cases of the infection. The school is carrying out a "deep clean" while closed for half-term.
Swine Flu Cases Exceeds 200
More than 200 people in the UK have now been diagnosed with swine flu. The most recent cases include 13 children and one adult from Welford Primary School in Handsworth, Birmingham, which is already linked with 50 cases of the infection. The school is carrying out a "deep clean" while closed for half-term.
29 April 2009
Mexico Confirms Just Seven Deaths From Swine Flu
The Mexican Health Secretary, José Ángel Córdova, has said that only seven deaths - out of the supposed 159 fatalities - have been confirmed as being caused by the swine flu virus.
Mexico Confirms Just Seven Deaths From Swine Flu
The Mexican Health Secretary, José Ángel Córdova, has said that only seven deaths - out of the supposed 159 fatalities - have been confirmed as being caused by the swine flu virus.
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