Pig flu tests on first Londoner

Precaution: members of the public wearing protective masks as swine flu reaches London

A woman in her twenties who recently returned from Mexico was being treated for suspected swine flu in a London hospital this afternoon.

If she tests positive for the H1N1 strain which is behind fears of a global pandemic she will be the first confirmed case in the capital.

The woman walked into the A&E unit at the West Middlesex University hospital in

Isleworth in the early hours of today complaining of flu-like symptoms.

Doctors have carried out tests and the results are due tomorrow. A spokesman said: "We have informed the Health Protection Agency. The woman has been isolated within the hospital and is in a stable condition."

Nine European countries have confirmed or suspected cases. The H1N1 strain has spread rapidly since it broke out three weeks ago but so far the only reported deaths have been in Mexico where it started.

In New York this afternoon Ernst & Young confirmed that a woman member of staff has been diagnosed with swine flu.

Professor Neil Ferguson of Imperial College, a member of a World Health Organisation taskforce, said the virus could infect up to 40 per cent of the UK population in the next six months if the outbreak becomes a pandemic.

Londoners worried they have swine flu were contacting GPs today as Boris Johnson held crisis meetings.

On Sunday 88 people called NHS Direct in England but yesterday that figure topped 1,300. Doctors have dealt with scores of people after a honeymoon couple were confirmed as the first British victims of the virus. Iain and Dawn Askham are in a hospital near Glasgow. Seven people are being tested in Wiltshire and tests are under way in Cardiff.

In London, GPs have been issued with a checklist for people who report fears of infection and have been told to order those they are most concerned about to go home. Health Protection Agency teams are on standby.

Health minister Lord Darzi admitted that a planned national flu helpline will not be up and running for another five months.

The Mayor and top officials have drawn up emergency plans to keep London running if a pandemic strikes. Key measures include:

● Operating trains on the Underground with a skeleton staff as well as bringing in the Army to drive buses.

● Police officers would be deployed to protect stores of anti-flu drugs which have been stockpiled.

● Key workers would be given priority for receiving anti-viral drugs.

● Setting up a special task force to run funeral services, burials and cremations, coroners, death registration and mortuary capacity.

The Mayor has also offered 100,000 City Hall-owned doses of the anti-viral Tamiflu to the Government.

The drugs are kept in a warehouse on the outskirts of London and were bought for £1 million by Ken Livingstone when he was Mayor. A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: "He is offering this supply but wants assurances London will not be overlooked.

"He is tapped into the central plan and wants to ensure London businesses are kept moving. While there have so far been no reported cases of swine flu in London, the Mayor is keen to ensure the capital is properly prepared in the event of an outbreak.

"He is receiving regular briefings on the situation and is reassured that there are detailed, tried and tested plans in place and that the NHS and other key agencies are fully prepared to respond."

Additional reporting: Justin Davenport and Katharine Barney

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