Time.com - Yukio Hatoyama comes to office with much praised Cabinet choices, but political observers worry that his party's shadow shogun may try to exercise too much influence [...more]
The Conservative party says hospitals are at breaking point and claims that a second wave of swine flu could result in a bed shortage The NHS may not have enough intensive care beds to cope if a second wave of swine flu hits the country, the Conservative party claimed today. Hospitals are already at "breaking point" and are having to close critical care beds to new admissions for large parts of the year, according to the shadow health secretary, Andrew Lansley. The allegation comes amid intensifying party exchanges over the future of the NHS. The Tories are attempting the novel political manoeuvre of outflanking Labour from the left, promising real-terms increases in spending during the recession. Concerns about the number of NHS intensive care beds available first surfaced during the initial midsummer outbreak of swine flu [...more]
Chris Ostrowski, who is standing for Labour in the Norwich North byelection, taken to hospital 48 hours before polling day Labour's candidate in this week's Norwich North byelection is being treated for suspected swine flu, the party said today. A spokesman for the Norwich North Labour campaign said: "We can confirm that Chris Ostrowski is being treated for a suspected case of swine flu. "This was confirmed by doctors at the Norfolk and Norwich hospital after Chris felt unwell and was taken there earlier today. He collapsed at home and was taken to hospital by ambulance. "Chris is receiving world class care from an excellent team of doctors, nurses and staff. Clearly, our priority is to ensure that nobody falls ill from swine flu unnecessarily and we will follow the medical advice and take every precaution necessary." Labour is widely expected to lose Thursday's contest, caused by the resignation of sitting MP Ian Gibson after the party's expenses panel excluded him from standing at the next election. The Tory candidate, Chloe Smith, is the favourite to take the seat, overturning Labour's 5,459 majority from the 2005 poll. Smith said in a statement: "I'm extremely sorry to hear that Chris has been taken ill this morning. One of my campaign team had a suspected case of swine flu two weeks ago so I know just how horrible it can be. "I'd like to send Chris my best wishes and I hope he will make a speedy recovery." Byelections Labour Swine flu guardian.co.uk [...more]
GPs rubbish charity's advice to delay pregnancy as government counsels mothers-to-be to avoid unnecessary travel and crowds The government is advising expectant mothers to avoid unnecessary travel and crowded places, as the NHS seeks to "clarify" its guidance to people in high-risk groups on how to reduce the chances of contracting swine flu. The Department of Health said mothers-to-be were more vulnerable to any type of flu and sought to defuse a row over whether delaying pregnancy could cut a woman's risk of catching the virus or reduce its severity. GPs have accused the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) of scaremongering after it advised women to consider postponing trying to become pregnant until the swine flu pandemic has passed. The Department of Health insisted couples were not being advised to delay conceiving during outbreak and said there was "no need to panic". A spokeswoman said swine flu was so far proving to be mild for most people "although for a small number it has been severe". She added: "We advise everybody to plan their pregnancy carefully; we are not advising women not to conceive. "Mums-to-be are more vulnerable to any type of flu. It is particularly important that anyone who has existing health problems and is thinking about starting a family should talk to their GP first, as they normally would." Holidaymakers were also advised to take medication such as paracetamol with them and avoid public places if they fall ill. A party of British schoolchildren were kept in quarantine in Beijing after members of their party were diagnosed with swine flu. The NCT, Britain's leading parenting charity, said delaying pregnancy could cut a woman's risk of catching the virus or reduce its severity. "Expectant mothers are thought to be at greater risk from the virus because the immune system is naturally suppressed during pregnancy to ensure it does not reject the baby," said Belinda Phipps, the trust's chief executive [...more]
Airlines offer guidance to check-in staff to help them prevent customers boarding flights if they appear to have the virus Passengers with swine flu will be stopped from boarding flights, two major airlines confirmed today, as the Department of Health warned tourists who contract the illness abroad not to travel home until their symptoms have gone. Both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic said they had provided check-in staff and cabin crew with guidance on how to act if they believe a passenger is unwell. Medical advice would be taken to assess the condition of passengers exhibiting symptoms, including having a headache, sore throat, runny nose, and aching muscles. Virgin Atlantic said those suffering from the condition would be prevented from flying until they could provide a fit-to-fly certificate from their doctor or a hospital. The new measures come at the height of the summer tourist season, with thousands of families either already on holiday or about to go. So far, though, BA said there had only been a "very small number of cases" where passengers displaying symptoms of H1N1 had been advised not to travel, and all had complied. [...more]
guardian.co.uk Britain facing swine flu upsurge, US calls crisis talks AFP LONDON (AFP) — Britain warned it could face more than 100000 daily cases of swine flu and the United States called a meeting of top officials as governments grappled on Friday with a resurgent swine flu pandemic. The warning from British Health ... Warning over fake Tamiflu sales BBC News Singapore confirms 91 new cases of Influenza A/H1N1 Xinhua Swine Flu in Britain: Nothing to Party About TIME Reuters [...more]
Straits Times Britain facing swine flu upsurge AFP LONDON (AFP) — Britain has admitted it could face more than 100000 daily cases of swine flu and the United States on Friday convened a meeting of top officials as governments around the world grappled with a resurgent swine flu pandemic. ... New Zealand's influenza A/H1N1 confirmed cases rise to 912 Xinhua Swine Flu in Britain: Nothing to Party About TIME Spread of swine flu far from over, officials warn Houston Chronicle Telegraph.co.uk [...more]
On the same day Republicans surrendered a symbolically significant seat in the Senate, the Sarah Palin wars erupted again inside the party. Leaks followed by trash-talking followed by recriminations. (source: Washington Post) - News widgets and RSS feeds on Feedzilla.com [...more]
Katy Perry wore her Swine Flu Ring to the People Magazine Party last month after writing about it on her blog: since swine flu is super trendy I wanted to. [...more]
New Jersey and Virginia have gubernatorial races this year. Republicans hope that one or both of these contests will give them a comeback after their crushing losses in 2006 and 2008. In Virginia, three Democrats are competing for their party's nomination. (source: NPR) - RSS feeds and Feed widget on Feedzilla.com [...more]
