Most patients with Swine Flu (with the exception of Mexico) have suffered only mild cases of the virus and have made a full recovery without medication or the need to consult a doctor.

However, as the World Health Organisation has now raised the threat assessment of a global pandemic to Level 5 we recommend at this stage the following precautionary action:

- contact your health provider and consider your likely access to anti - viral medication should it need to be prescribed to you by a medical practitioner;

- reconsider any international travel plans to known affected areas;

- visit the UK Department of Health website  www.dh.gov.uk/pandemicflu for a range of useful information on pandemic flu.

For specific enquiries on pandemic flu please call the BHC in Port Moresby or email ukinpng@datec.net.pg.

Additional helpful information on Swine Flu can be accessed through the WHO sites, http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html and http://www.wpro.who.int/southpacigic/home.htm