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Page last updated at 10:55 GMT, Wednesday, 29 April 2009 11:55 UK

Island 'prepared' for swine flu

Tamiflu capsules
Jersey's GPs are being given stocks of the antiviral drug Tamiflu

Jersey's Medical Officer of Health says she suspects "it is only a matter of time" before there is a case of swine flu in the Channel Island.

However, Dr Rosemary Geller said the island would be well prepared to deal with a case of the respiratory virus.

A stock of the antiviral drug Tamiflu was being given out to GPs across the island in case a patient needed to be treated.

Swine flu is so far thought to have killed nearly 160 people in Mexico.

The virus, which is spread through coughing and sneezing, has symptoms similar to those produced by ordinary seasonal flu - fever, cough, sore throat, aches, chills and fatigue.

It is usually found in pigs and contracted only by people in contact with the animals.

However, Jersey's Health Authorities says the virus can only pass from pigs to humans if the pigs were ill with the virus.

They stressed that it could not be caught by eating pork.

Dr Geller said: "I suspect it is only a matter of time before there is case in Jersey. However, the island is well prepared.

"GPs will today receive a stock of the antiviral drug Tamiflu in case any islanders returning from Mexico become ill and need to be treated."



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