The first case of swine flu was confirmed in the U.K today as the World Health Organisation upped its alert system to a 4 out of a possible 6: 6 meaning that a pandemic has been confirmed. Scottish newlyweds Iain and Dawn Askham , who had been in Mexico for their honeymoon, are reported to be recovering well in hospital and their friends and family are being monitored for the signs of the virus.
As it becomes more and more likely that we are going to see further U.K cases, however, experts are indicating that this strain of influenza is not as serious as others, such as avian flu. Part of the H1N1 strain, we already have some degree of immunity towards it. Others have also pointed out that the U.K, heading into summer, is in a better position than Latin America and other countries in the Southern Hemisphere, as they are moving into winter, naturally the season where influenza takes stronger hold. Alan Johnson, the health secretary, has said that the U.K is almost uniquely well-placed to deal with a pandemic and after 5 years of planning for this eventuality has stockpiled enough anti-viral medication to treat at least half the British population.
The European Union has announced that henceforth ‘swine flu’ will be known as ‘novel flu’ to avoid any damage being caused to the pig and pork industry. Though the influenza is a cross between a strain found in humans and a strain found in pigs, it is not believed to be passed on through contact with pigs or pig products, but via human-to-human contact.