Swine flu: Birmingham International Airport on standby
Apr 27 2009 by Tony Collins, Birmingham Mail
There were even fears that a male air steward who was taken to hospital after arriving at Heathrow on the flight from Mexico City may have contracted the virus after complaining of flu-like symptoms.
But laboratory tests at a north London hospital have since revealed he does not have swine flu.
The H1N1 strain of the virus has already been blamed for more than 100 deaths in Mexico, with more cases increasing daily in other countries around the world.
Officials at Birmingham airport said they would follow Government advice.
A spokesman for Birmingham Airport said: “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and deal with passengers in accordance with the latest Government advice.”
Meanwhile, a leading Midland virus expert today warned that deadly swine flu may have already spread from Mexico to Britain.
Prof Nigel Dimmock, a virologist at the University of Warwick, said: “Swine flu could already have reached the UK. There really is cause to worry. If it’s a new virus no-one will have any immunity. It will not be possible to keep it out.”
He added: “We may have to prepare ourselves for a new pandemic virus. This has the potential to be bigger than Spanish influenza.
“We will know in the next few days how nasty this is going to be. If it spreads upwards from the 1,000 or so cases we are seeing at the moment, then everyone is in trouble.
“We have to hope for the best and plan for the worst.”
The NHS has a stockpile of more than £500 million worth of the Tamiflu anti-viral drug which has proved effective on patients in Mexico, and scientists are working on developing a vaccine against the new strain, said Mr Johnson.
The World Health Organisation rated Britain as one of the two countries best prepared for an outbreak, alongside France.
The global health watchdog today warned countries around the world to look out for unusual flu cases as the outbreak spread to the USA, where a total of 20 cases have been confirmed, Canada and probably New Zealand, where ten students are ill after a school trip to Mexico.
Experts say swine flu is worse than the previous bird flu outbreaks which have killed more than 250 people in 15 countries, because it appears to pass from human to human.
The UK Health Protection Agency said: “No cases of swine flu have been identified in the UK or anywhere in Europe.
“The reported events in the US and Mexico are unusual and warrant further investigation and vigilance on the part of other countries.
“The HPA is monitoring this situation closely and is working with the UK government to review the current incident and any threat it poses to UK public health.”
The advice for anyone experiencing symptoms including fever and fatigue after travelling abroad was to stay at home and contact the NHS Direct telephone helpline, Mr Johnson.
The Foreign Office is not advising Britons to stay away from Mexico at this stage, but said travellers to the country should consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of flu-like symptoms.
The Mexican Secretariat of Health has advised people to avoid large crowds, shaking hands, kissing people as a greeting, or using the subway. Maintaining a distance of at least six feet from other persons and frequent hand washing may decrease the risk of exposure.
FCO Travel Advice can also be obtained from 0845 850 2829 or at www.fco.gov.uk.
