Call for calm as virus no more dangerous than conventional flu

HEALTH experts have urged calm over the swine flu outbreak, saying if it does spread to Ireland, it will be no more dangerous than conventional flu.

Patrick Wall, professor of public health at University College Dublin, said the flu vaccine administered here last winter might offer some protection and the new vaccine batch being developed for next winter would specifically protect against the so-called swine variety.

In the meantime, he said the traditional flu season has almost passed with the arrival of warmer weather.