Swine flu fears prompt face mask action in UK
The Government's Cobra emergencies committee, involving both Mr Brown and Health Secretary Alan Johnson, met to discuss the issue as Britons were warned to avoid all but essential travel to Mexico.
The WHO have said the deadly swine flu virus could no longer be contained and raised its alert to just two steps lower than the maximum of six, signifying a "significant increase in risk of a pandemic".
The information leaflets on the virus will be delivered across the UK in the coming days.
A DH spokeswoman said: "The leaflet will be sent out next week, cover the whole of the UK, and will contain information about this flu outbreak and preventative messages."
She added: "We are talking to a number of manufacturers about procuring face masks. We are not in a position to provide further details at this stage.
"Although we are aware that face masks are being given out to the public in Mexico, the available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of face masks by those who are not ill whilst going about their normal activities.
"We are urgently looking into how we can increase our current stockpiles of face masks for healthcare workers who would come into close contact with symptomatic individuals during an influenza pandemic."
The two confirmed patients, Iain and Dawn Askham, of Polmont, near Falkirk, had been on honeymoon in Mexico and were being treated today in isolation at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, Lanarkshire.
Their parents said the newlywed couple was "shocked" at the positive test results.
