UK Prepared For Swine Flu - PM (text)

UK Prepared For Swine Flu - PM

The Prime Minister has said the UK is well prepared for further cases of swine flu as he urged anyone displaying symptoms to seek advice as quickly as possible.

During a visit to an NHS Direct call centre in Beckenham, south east London, this morning, the Prime Minister said the government is doing everything it can to contain the spread of the virus.

He said the UK has been preparing for this type of scenario for years.

“We know that this is happening around the world and we know also that we have preparations in place so that people can get the Tamiflu antiviral drug and can be treated if they get the disease.”

He said the NHS advice line was coping well with demand.

“We are finding with NHS Direct that they can both reassure people and give people advice about where to go.

This is a system that’s working, it’s calm, it’s ordered, it is giving people the right information.”

The World Health Organisation raised the pandemic alert to Phase 5 on Thursday as the government began a campaign advising people how to avoid spreading germs that can cause colds and flu. Leaflets will be sent to households across the country advising people how to stay flu-free.

Earlier this week the PM said the UK holds stockpiles of antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza which have proved effective against the new strain of virus. The government plans to increase the current stockpile of antiviral drugs from 33m to 50m as a precaution.

Read more information about swine flu from the NHS (new window)
Get travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (new window)
Visit the World Health Organisation website (new window)

ENDS

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