no problem on the Island.

Reports of flu epidemics sweeping the United States fuelled rumours of problems here.

But local family practitioners believe any flu problem is usual at this time of year.

In the United States Type A flu has become widespread. So far, the strain has been reported in every state except Mississippi, Delaware, Hew Hampshire and Rhode Island.

The flu outbreak became a national epidemic the last two weeks of December, when deaths from flu and pneumonia rose in the 121 US cities monitored by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Bermuda, Pathologist at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital Dr. Keith Cunningham said only serious cases would be reported to the hospital. He said: "From observations it appears that there is a lot of flu around the Island at the moment.

"General practitioners would be more likely to see cases of flu and then report them to the Department of Health.'' Family Practitioner Dr. Niall Aitken said: "There is always an `epidemic' at this time of year. It seems to have been at the beginning of January this year.

"People do tend to feel pretty ill and have to go to bed. They will feel better after five to seven days.'' Dr. Gordon Campbell, also a family practitioner, said: "I have not noticed a high increase in flu, but there is always a lot around this time of year. "It is no worse than usual, although it might blossom in a week or two.'' DISTRESS BEACON SPOTTED RAO A New York Coast Guard plane has been scouring the seas after a distress beacon was seen off Bermuda.

The beacon was spotted 150 miles north-east of the Island at about 3.30 p.m.

on Saturday.

Harbour Radio has told ships to be on the look-out. It has been in touch with one vessel in the area, Acadia Forest .

"We will broadcast everything back to New York,'' said a spokesman.

WIRES TANGLED IN TREES START FIRE FIR A fire broke out when electric wires got entangled with palm trees in Smith's yesterday.

The blaze covered a 30-foot by 30-foot area at Hermitage Road. Firemen were alerted at about 2 p.m.

They were also called out at 3 p.m. on Saturday to a property in Green Acres, Devonshire.

A plastic dish in an oven caught alight. The blaze was out, however, when firemen arrived.

SHIP DIVERTED SHI A ship laden with frozen fruit juice diverted to Bermuda over the weekend after being caught in storm-whipped seas.

The 400-foot Bahamian-registered Merchant had begun listing heavily.

Harbour Radio said the vessel had been en route from Florida to Europe.