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29/04/2009
Three More Swine Flu Cases Confirmed In The UK
Three more cases of swine flu have been confirmed today in Britain, taking the number of those treated for the disease to five.
A 12-year-old girl is among those who have contracted the virus after visiting Mexico, Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed.
Two adults - one from Redditch, Worcs and one from London - are also being treated, along with two other cases, previously confirmed, in Scotland.
The schoolgirl attends Paignton Community and Sports College, in Paignton, Devon, which has been shut for a week. All pupils in her year have also been given anti-viral drugs as a precaution.
The announcement came as American health officials announced a 23-month-old child died of swine flu in Texas - the first fatality outside Mexico from the H1N1 strain.
Mr Brown told the Commons all three British cases had recently travelled to Mexico, had mild symptoms and were responding well to treatment.
"I believe we are taking the preparations that are necessary and the precautions to prevent further incidents of the disease in this country," the PM said.
"I can confirm that we have enhanced airport checks and that we are advising people not to travel to Mexico unless necessary.
"We have decided to build up stocks of anti-viral drugs and we are ordering a great deal more face masks (for health staff) and we'll be sending out public information to all citizens of the country."
According to reports, tests on seven people who came into contact with Mexico honeymooners Dawn and Iain Askham, have come back negative.
Today, the UK Government is preparing a wide-scale information campaign which will see leaflets with information regarding swine flu, to every home in the UK. This follows the World Health Organisation's (WHO) calls to prepare Britain for a pandemic.
See: Mexico Confirms Just Seven Deaths From Swine Flu
(JM/BMcC)
A 12-year-old girl is among those who have contracted the virus after visiting Mexico, Prime Minister Gordon Brown confirmed.
Two adults - one from Redditch, Worcs and one from London - are also being treated, along with two other cases, previously confirmed, in Scotland.
The schoolgirl attends Paignton Community and Sports College, in Paignton, Devon, which has been shut for a week. All pupils in her year have also been given anti-viral drugs as a precaution.
The announcement came as American health officials announced a 23-month-old child died of swine flu in Texas - the first fatality outside Mexico from the H1N1 strain.
Mr Brown told the Commons all three British cases had recently travelled to Mexico, had mild symptoms and were responding well to treatment.
"I believe we are taking the preparations that are necessary and the precautions to prevent further incidents of the disease in this country," the PM said.
"I can confirm that we have enhanced airport checks and that we are advising people not to travel to Mexico unless necessary.
"We have decided to build up stocks of anti-viral drugs and we are ordering a great deal more face masks (for health staff) and we'll be sending out public information to all citizens of the country."
According to reports, tests on seven people who came into contact with Mexico honeymooners Dawn and Iain Askham, have come back negative.
Today, the UK Government is preparing a wide-scale information campaign which will see leaflets with information regarding swine flu, to every home in the UK. This follows the World Health Organisation's (WHO) calls to prepare Britain for a pandemic.
See: Mexico Confirms Just Seven Deaths From Swine Flu
(JM/BMcC)
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28 April 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.
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.
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.
06 May 2009
More UK Swine Flu Cases Confirmed
Four more people in the UK have tested positive for swine flu, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA). The new cases are all associated with travel from Mexico, and they are adults from the north-west, east, West Midlands and East Midlands areas in England. The new cases takes the number of those affected in the UK to 32.
More UK Swine Flu Cases Confirmed
Four more people in the UK have tested positive for swine flu, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA). The new cases are all associated with travel from Mexico, and they are adults from the north-west, east, West Midlands and East Midlands areas in England. The new cases takes the number of those affected in the UK to 32.
30 April 2009
Pandemic Level Alert Now One Step Below Global
The World Health Organisation has increased the official alert level of pandemic for the second time this week. WHO Director, Margaret Chan, announced last night that the alert level would go up to 5 in a scale of 6, one step under that of a global pandemic.
Pandemic Level Alert Now One Step Below Global
The World Health Organisation has increased the official alert level of pandemic for the second time this week. WHO Director, Margaret Chan, announced last night that the alert level would go up to 5 in a scale of 6, one step under that of a global pandemic.
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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
