Swine flu declared a pandemic
THE swine flu outbreak has become a pandemic, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced today.
The move means the world is in the grip of a flu outbreak on a scale not seen for more than 40 years.
It does not mean the virus has become more deadly, just that its geographical spread is now truly global.
Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, who worked on the UK's pandemic flu plans, said: "This is a historic time because we have not had a flu pandemic in more than 40 years.
"I believe we have been at this point for a couple of weeks or so, so this declaration doesn't come as a surprise.
"For the UK it doesn't mean any real change to what we've been doing in the last few weeks."
See tomorrow's Evening News to find how Lothian health chiefs are preparing for the pandemic.
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Weather for Edinburgh
Monday 20 May 2013
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