SPAIN/UK: Spain reports first case of swine flu person-to-person transmission as British government launches national health education campaign

Record ID: 345531

  • Title: SPAIN/UK: Spain reports first case of swine flu person-to-person transmission as British government launches national health education campaign
  • Date: 1st May 2009
  • Summary: BARCELONA, SPAIN (APRIL 30, 2009) (REUTERS) NEWSPAPER KIOSK IN NUMANCIA STREET, BARCELONA
  • Embargoed: 16th May 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Health,Education
  • Reuters ID: LVAC3MZPQ8AKHJCTFVSGZ351YAU
  • Story Text: Catalans start the day in Barcelona unfazed by the news of six confirmed cases of swine flu in the region. In the UK, the government launches a health awareness advert to help prevent the spread of the virus.
    Barcelona residents appeared unconcerned about the potential spread of swine flu early on Thursday morning (April 30) despite six confirmed cases of swine flu and the first case of secondary infection reported the Catalonia region.
    At a newspaper kiosk on Numancia Street in the centre of Barcelona, newspaper headlines warned of an "imminent pandemic."

    "There are very few cases," said Manuel Gonzalez, a receptionist at a nearby hotel, adding: "it would be very bad luck if I came across someone who had the virus, to be honest I am not afraid at all."
    The World Health Organisation on Wednesday (April 29) raised its alert level to 5 and said a swine flu pandemic was imminent after the new virus showed signs it was spreading efficiently among people.
    Angel Valla said he was not afraid of catching the virus.

    "If you maintain your personal hygiene it seems as if you will be OK," he said.
    Manuel Garcia, the owner of a newspaper kiosk, said he felt that some of the stories he had heard had been exaggerated.

    "I heard a story on the radio this morning saying that a pharmacy here in Barcelona has sold out of masks, and that there are problems in the laboratories, it all seems totally out of proportion to me," said Garcia.
    In Britain a new public awareness campaign to tackle the spread of swine flu was launched on Thursday by the Department of Health.
    The 'Catch it, Bin It, Kill it!' advertisement warns people to cover their noses and mouths with tissues when they cough and sneeze and then to throw the tissue away and wash their hands.
    The advertisement, which will appear in print, on television and radio aims to target everyone in the UK.
    Britain has reported five confirmed cases of the disease and suspects a further 23.
    A total of 11 countries have reported cases of the H1N1 strain, and Texas officials said a 22-month-old Mexican boy had died in Texas while on a family visit, the first confirmed swine flu death outside Mexico which has reported 159 deaths from the virus.
    Switzerland confirmed on Thursday its first case, saying a man returning from Mexico had tested positive for the flu.
    jrc/
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