Pharmacy manager Janine Clarke with some of the Tamiflu that could treat 75% of islanders. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0763217)

WITH swine flu now confirmed in the UK and the World Health Authority saying it cannot be contained, Guernsey’s Health Department meets today to discuss the threat to the island.

This follows an emergency meeting yesterday that discussed the response to the swine flu outbreak.

Members of the Pandemic Flu Planning Group, the director of public health, States pharmacists and representatives from the States Emergency Planning Team were at the briefings.

Public health director Stephen Bridgman said it was uncertain what threat N1H1 swine flu posed to the island.

‘At the moment it is not clear whether it will run its course and burn out in Mexico or develop into something more serious,’ he said.

‘We are therefore keeping a close eye on developments and will continue to monitor communications from the Health Protection Agency and the World Health Organisation and from the UK’s chief medical officer.’

He encouraged the public to stay calm.