Swine Flu

[Luna]

Does anyone else think this has been blown out of porportion???

I live in the town of scotland where its been found, you cant get moving for press

SBBB - Next Clue - Let's be having you. Just once a week though.

[Trinity]

I was thinking about you when I heard it was Airdrie.

No, I don't think it is blown out of proportion by the responsible media. It is an important, worldwide threat.

However, some of the tabloid press - the Express in particular are totally irresponsible in their reporting.

Some people get the wrong end of the stick and come out with the biggest load of horse manure imaginable. Have you have a look at the Talking POint on the BBC news website on the subject? It is shocking how ignorant and stupid some people are.

My hubby is in Texas at the moment (working with a Mexican crew on a job). I am concerned that he has to fly two planes home. He is always catching stuff on planes (he travels long haul at least twice a month).

At some point there will be a flu pandemic, whether or not this is it remains to be seen.

I think that the public is fed up being scared by AIDS, SARs, CJD, Bird Flu - and assume that every new scare is going to end in the same way. A big talking point on the news but nothing in real life.

Unfortunately we are not talking about a dead swan being washed up in a remote scottish village. We are talking about a new flu virus that has jumped the species barrier and can now be transmitted from human to human.

So far, out with Mexico, the virus seems mild, but in Mexico it isn't and we need to know why this is.

At least the bird flu scare has meant that most developed countries have stock piles of anti viral medication.

[Trinity]

Well, 5 confirmed cases in UK, a school shut in Devon and the first confirmed death outside of Mexico - a 23 month old child from Texas.

This could be the tip of the iceberg.

[Chloe O'brien]

A couple from the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, which is about 3 miles from were I live have been quarantined in their home. They have returned from honeymoon from Cancun the same time as the couple from Falkirk.

[Abigail]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8024611.stm

The five people in the UK are responding well to treatment. All of them have recently returned from Mexico, where they aren't closing the borders. Mexico have to stop people going into and out of the country, it's the only way to prevent further spreading of it to other countries not affected yet.

We can't prevent it spreading in the countries it's already arrived in but we can stop people leaving Mexico and passing it on to other people. Stop international travel, it only takes one person to infect the other hundred or so passengers on a plane who then pass it on to others.

I'm not expert on swine flu but it's pretty obvious that controlling the source goes some way to controlling the spread.

[Siobhan]

Would it shock and surprise you to know that 30000 to 40000 deaths occur due to the flu each year in the United States? Mainly with old and young.

[Abbie]

Well, 5 confirmed cases in UK, a school shut in Devon and the first confirmed death outside of Mexico - a 23 month old child from Texas.

Sorry Im late with all my replies that child who died, I was watching Sky News when It was confirmed the child wasnt from Texas, but from Mexico, the child had travelled their for help with treatment


I think to some extent it has caused a large panic that needed

The population of Mexcio is something like 100 million, or that might be one of the cities where it is over populated
Now of course it horrible that people have it and died but if you compare it to the population of these countires and infact the world population that percentage is very tiny.

Also people forget that nowadays the heathcare system is better no matter how much people complain about it, out technology is better
Oh, and I believe one of the last pandemic was years ago, I read one was in 1918, where malnuaturiton was high, we had poor diets, no matter what people might say, ours is better these days,so we are healthier compared to last time, idicating why it is poor countires that will ssuffer the most

[alan45]

[Perdita]

Michael Jackson has reportedly abandoned plans to visit Britain over fears that he might catch swine flu.

According to the Daily Express, the 'Thriller' star had hoped to travel to the UK within the next few weeks in order to find a suitable home to live in during his residency at London's O2 arena.

"Michael wanted to come over for viewings... because he wants to make sure the property is just right - after all he will be renting it from now until February next year," The Daily Telegraph quotes a source as saying.

"But that is off for the time being. We are going to send him videos. Michael doesn't want to travel because of the worry surrounding the flu outbreak."

He usually wears a face mask anyway, he could wear a couple now

[Perdita]

Singer Tulisa Contostavlos, from pop band N-Dubz, is being tested for swine flu after falling ill on board a flight to Greece, her manager has confirmed.

The 20-year-old from north London was taken to hospital in Athens.

Miss Contostavlos has undergone tests to determine if she has the virus, which has now been confirmed in 15 cases in the UK.

The band's manager Jonathan Shalit has told the Press Association her band mates are "all very worried about her".

He added that he had "no idea how she got ill" but "the nature of being a singer is that you meet and shake hands with a huge amount of people".

The three-piece, which includes Miss Contostavlos's 21-year old cousin Dino 'Dappy' Contostavlos and their childhood friend Richard Rawson, 22, have enjoyed huge success this year.

They currently occupy the top spot in the singles chart, featuring on Tinchy Stryder's hit, Number 1.

The band are also due to play Radio 1's Big Weekend in Swindon next weekend but the appearance could be in jeopardy if tests prove positive.