UK prepares leaflets, facemasks for swine flu

I / London April 29, 2009, 11:48 IST

British health officials are preparing to send swine flu information leaflets to every home in the UK, a Department of Health spokeswoman said, adding that the government was seeking to increase the number of facemasks at its disposal as the country braces for more cases of the deadly virus.      

Leaflets describing the virus and advising Britons on how to deal with it are due to begin reaching homes across the country starting next week, the spokeswoman said.      

She said officials were also in talks with manufacturers over building Britain's stockpile of facemasks,  although she said she couldn't comment on reports that the UK was seeking as many as 32 million extra masks.      

The spokeswoman emphasised that the protective gear would be for the use of medical professionals - not the general public.    

"The available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of facemasks by those who are not ill whilst going about their normal activities," she said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with department policy.      

So far only two cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the UK, although hospitals elsewhere in Britain have said they were investigating possible cases.