The UK is preparing itself for the onset of a potential pandemic of the "Swine flu" from Mexico, meanwhile the Mexican capital city was in a state of lockdown.
There have been two confirmed cases of Mexican swine flu in the UK.
Evidence from Mexico and other affected areas shows that early doses of antivirals such as Tamiflu are helping people to recover. We have enough antivirals to treat half the population of the UK if they become ill.
We have been preparing for the possibility since 1998 and are among the most prepared countries in the world.
There are simple steps that everyone can take to help prevent catching colds and flu based on good respiratory and hand hygiene. Always use a tissue to catch your sneezes, throw away used tissues where germs can linger and regularly wash your hands.
Most importantly, if you have flu like symptoms, stay at home and call your GP or NHS Direct.
The World Heath Organisation Director General Dr Margaret Chan said:
"not to close borders and not to restrict international travel. It was considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention."
The Director-General considered that production of seasonal influenza vaccine should continue at this time, subject to re-evaluation as the situation evolves. WHO will facilitate the process needed to develop a vaccine effective against A/H1N1 virus.
The Director-General stressed that all measures should conform with the purpose and scope of the International Health Regulations.
Roche, the Swiss maker of Tamiflu, said the World Health Organisation has enough supplies of the drug to treat up to 5 million people, on top of millions more doses held by governments. "Tamiflu has been stockpiled for years by governments, companies and health authorities. Still, shares of Roche rose 4.1 percent in Zurich, and GlaxoSmithKline rose 5 percent in London after the W.H.O. warned that the new A (H1N1) swine flu virus, which originates in pigs, could become a pandemic. The disease has killed more than 100 people in Mexico and isolated cases have been detected in countries around the world." writes the New York Times.
