EU health ministers to meet in emergency session

EU HEALTH ministers will hold an emergency meeting in Brussels on Thursday to co-ordinate their response to the swine flu outbreak.

Europe’s first case of the illness has been confirmed in Spain, where 20 people suspected of having the virus are under observation.

While the World Health Organisation has so far not issued advice about travel restrictions, EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said she personally would try to avoid non-essential travel to the areas reported to be in the centre of the clusters, mainly Mexico.