Advice on swine flu outbreak

Oldham’s environmental boss today advised anyone who develops flu-like symptoms after being abroad to contact their doctor or NHS direct.

Councillor Mark Alcock, the Oldham Council cabinet member for the environment, made his plea after more than 100 people died in Mexico, the epicentre of a swine flu outbreak.

He said: “Oldham Council is watching closely the developing outbreak and will put into place its part of a multi-agency emergency plan that will be led by the NHS.

“We advise anyone who has been abroad or in contact with someone who has been abroad who develops flu like symptoms to call your doctor or NHS direct. Please do NOT go to your doctor.”

Meanwhile, tour operators Thomson and First Choice which currently operate to Cancun in Mexico from Manchester, say its resort teams have not reported any confirmed or suspected cases among their holidaymakers.

Local doctors’ leader Dr Kailash Chand, said there was no need to worry about any outbreak of swine flu in the UK at this stage.

People cannot catch swine flu from eating pork or pork products.