I was wondering today what will happen if a pandemic of this does actually happen

Will they closed schools etc? I think that I will keep my children at home to be honest if it really does kick off, but I don't really know what to expect in a panademic... does anyone have any ideas?

C :)

Here is a link to what parliament is thinking:-  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4869224.stm

When the SARS epidemic threatened Hong Kong at the beginning of March 2003, all schools were closed immediately and all after-school activies were cancelled.   This, coupled with the start of the Iraqi war and wall-to-wall coverage on TV or Cartoon network prompted my daughter and many like her to bring their children home - either to UK/Europe/US.   When Sarah & her friends (I think she said that there were another 8 mums plus children on her flight from Hong Kong) arrived back at Heathrow, they all were wearing facemasks (children included).   The greeting from Customs was "oh you don't have to worry about SARS over here" - and Sarah said - but aren't you worried that we might be bringing it with us?   We're wearing these in case we are!

She came here and stayed at her MIL's house (MIL having moved to her daughter's home) without seeing anyone for 10 days, until she was happy that she & the kids were well before seeing anyone.

The point I'm trying to make is that Customs didn't seem to think that this could be a problem coming in from HK.....but it could have been!   We have to make sure that the authorities take reports of any threats of any epidemics elsewhere in the world seriously.

Margot

I don't know Chloe I expect there is an emergency plan in place perhaps your local MP could tell you but it does seem very unlikely to happen.  The whole worry seems to hinge on the fact that influenza viruses can mutate but I think it is a very long shot that this particular mutation will happen.  At present humans, that have very close contact with birds, can contract it but they cannot pass it to other humans.

I also think it's a long shot it will mutate. It's in Sweden now, in the middle of Stockholm city centre as well, and people are just told to avoid close contact with birds, that's about all that's happened.

Well I'm not worrrying - I keep rare breed poultry and all of mine are still free ranging - to be honest I don't see how it's possible to avoid contact with birds - around here we've got Pheasants in the fields, wood pigeons , ducks, geese and swans that have just migrated in and are busy building nests on the river banks not to mention all the garden birds. Just how are we supposed to regulate them ?.

If DEFRA tell me to keep my small flock indoors than I will do so but until then - as I say - I'm not worrying !.

Yvonne