Flu Could Infect Up To Half The Population

Although the pandemic up to now looks like a mild event hardly causing ripples, yet the potential for huge repercussions on our lives cannot be discounted.

Health authorities in UK have been told to set up testing and drug distribution centres in case of autumn outbreak

Primary care trusts are to set up anti-viral drug distribution centres and swine flu testing clinics amid fears that the infection could spread out of control.

The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, wrote to health authorities last week urging hospitals to test all patients who show signs of flu-like symptoms. He wrote: "Transmission from person to person in this country is increasingly common. There is evidence that sporadic cases are arising with no apparent link either to cases elsewhere in the UK or to travel abroad."

The letter followed an earlier warning from Sir Liam that millions of Britons could fall victim to swine flu in the coming months. Government officials admitted last night that illness rates from the virus could reach 50 per cent.

  Tamiflu can still be available in limited quantities