“Northern Ireland has robust plans in place for dealing with situations such as this..”
The World Health Organisation has upgraded the pandemic alert level from 3 to 4 [of 6] over the human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) [WHO FAQs (pdf file)] that has hit Mexico hardest – apparently it’s some kind of human/avian/swine flu hybrid. There have been 2 confirmed cases in Scotland and 5 cases of suspected infection reported in Ireland, one of which has already tested negative. The only deaths, so far, have been recorded in Mexico, to date 149, and it’s still not clear whether there was an additional factor involved there given that the cases in the US and Canada have exhibited only mild flu symptoms – a point mentioned in this Washington Post report which suggests that additional factor is early treatment. The Northern Ireland Health Minister might have to make another statement soon..
If its arrives here lets hope they don’t make a pigs ear of it…..
I hear Mexico City was also hit by a minor earthquake of about 6 on the Richter scale .. bet Mexico City Council are really regreting passing that motion to build a giant golden calf …
So many swine flu jokes going around – its like an epidemic or something.
loadsa better ones on http://www.sickipedia.org
Wire brush and Dettol?
Well at least we can be sure that both the US and UK governments have contingency plans well in place to deal with this threat should it turn out to be a pandemic as feared. Although anti-viral stocks are high in both areas they are yet limited but we can be sure that a a correct order of priority of dispensing will be in place.
Precedence will be given in order of one’s wealth and influence and there will be a special allocation for paramilitary forces to quell any disturbance that might arise as a result of discontent with this reasonable policy.