Government is urging people to reconsider non-urgent travel to North America and other areas hit by the potentially deadly swine 'flu.

In Mexico more than 1,600 cases have been reported and the suspected death toll has climbed to 149.

However in the United States around 40 cases have resulted in just one hospitalisation and no fatalities.

Bermuda's Chief Medical Officer John Cann has recommended that Bermuda residents reconsider all non-essential travel to affected areas including Mexico, the US and Canada.

And he said there were also concerns about New Zealand, France and the United Kingdom where suspected cases of swine influenza have shown up in individuals returning from Mexico.

He said Bermuda had no vaccine to tackle this new strain of 'flu.

Swine 'flu is a respiratory disease normally found in pigs and caused by type A influenza viruses. While outbreaks of this type of flu are most common in pigs, human cases of swine 'flu happen. Humans with direct exposure to pigs are most commonly infected with swine 'flu.

Dr. Cann said: "First the World Health Organisation has to clearly define the epidemiology of this virus and be certain of the new strain.

"And then the vaccine manufacturers have to produce a vaccine which can take a few months. There is no vaccine at present for this particular strain, because it's new."

Dr. Cann said the key to limiting the spread of any infection was good hygiene.

He added: "Exercising good health habits by covering one's cough and observing regular hand washing is fundamental to preventing the transmission of any disease."

The Department of Health will also contact schools to stress the good hygiene message. And as an added precaution Dr. Cann encouraged any persons who may feel ill, to visit their doctor.

Dr. Cann said: "The Department of Health will monitor our ports of entry, as we normally do, and take any additional precautions that may be set out by our overseas health counterparts."

Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Warren Jones said Bermuda is in contact with its overseas counterparts at the World Health Organisation (WHO) regarding the status of the outbreak.

Mr. Jones stressed that while there have been deaths in Mexico due to the disease, in the US and Canada, the outbreak has not escalated to the severity level seen in Mexico.

He said: "Local public health officials are meeting today to be updated on the status of this strain of flu and to look at local protocols.

"They will monitor progress overseas and ensure the public are kept informed on key developments."

Confirmed cases of a new strain of human swine influenza A (H1N1) have been identified in Mexico, the US states of California, Texas, Kansas, New York and Ohio and Nova Scotia, in Canada.

Health officials fear a pandemic caused when a new influenza virus sub-type emerges, and the population has little immunity to the virus.

There has been no detection of the human swine influenza A virus (H1N1) in Bermuda.

Symptoms may include:

¦ Fever greater than 38 degrees centigrade or 100.4 Fahrenheit

¦ Cough

¦ Runny nose

¦ Sore throat

¦ Headache and

¦ Muscle pain.

The disease is primarily limited to those who have had direct close contact with an infected person.

The major mode of transmission is through droplet spread when someone with the infection coughs or sneezes droplets into the air and someone else breathes them in or from face to face contact with an infected person.

Government recommend that individuals with febrile (fever) respiratory illness consult their physician and stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infection.

People should observe the following basic hygiene measures:

¦ Frequent hand washing, especially after coughing or sneezing,

¦ Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing

¦ Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as this spreads germs, and

¦ Avoid close contact with sick persons.

Individuals who have concerns can call the Nurse Epidemiologist in the Department of Health at 236 0224.

Last night Shadow Health spokeswoman Louise Jackson said Government needed to clearly communicate that it had a plan to protect people and enough anti-flu drugs to combat any pandemic.

* See Page 10 for full coverage of the 'flu outbreak.