Swine Flu a greater threat than terrorism

A third of us may be infected with pig flu in the next two years whilst experts fear that the rate of infection is set to reach 65,000, killing a whopping 350 Brits per day. Others believe that once the pandemic hits its peak, 30% of us will be affected. Chief Medical Officer; Sir Liam Donaldson has also revealed that 1 in 8 of us will be infected come September.

This news comes as plans have been announced to close a large number of schools for the first month after the summer holidays in the most affected areas on the UK. Pregnant women and new Mothers are also being advised to remain at home. They are to avoid busy tube trains and buses and are to stay away from crowds. Whilst it essentially sounds as if they should remain in solitary confinement, this advice has come from the Royal College of Midwives as the result of the death of Ruptura Miah in hospital last week. The 39 year old was thought to have been suffering with the virus, and died after giving birth. Pregnant women are thought to be at such a risk due to the fact their immune system is broken down to make sure the body doesn't reject the baby.

Swine Flu-the sweeping virus

Thousands of us across the UK have been affected with the death toll standing at 29, matching that of Mexico. According to the Metro, expert Alan Johnson has likened the threat of swine flu to that of terrorism. A number of major airlines such as British Airways have also begun to turn suspected cases away, advising them not to travel. Meanwhile, 8 young students are being treated in Beijing as the result of Swine flu, whilst 107 have been quarantined after being diagnosed with the virus on a school trip.

In response to the increasing threat, a Swine flu hotline is set to be launched next week 'subject to testing'. The idea behind the scheme is to provide support for patients around the clock. In relation, recent reports also claim that doctors are set to refuse to treat people from practises, whilst health authorities have also advised suspected patients to remain at home and to contact designated phone lines. Time will tell whether this approach will be successful. This news has been met with some degree of Sinicism from the likes of Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley who has questioned why the scheme has been launched over a month late, demanding to know who had caused the delay.