The Foreign Office has warned anyone travelling to or returning from areas affected by swine flu to "be aware" of the outbreak and see a doctor immediately if they show any symptoms.

Symptoms are similar to those associated with normal flu and include "a feverish illness accompanied by one or more of cough, sore throat, headache and muscle aches", a Foreign Office spokesman said.

"For most people this illness appears to be mild. Infection with this virus is treatable with anti-viral drugs."
 
The Foreign Office also advised anyone returning from an affected country to monitor their health closely for seven days after arriving back in Britain. There is no need to isolate yourself from other people if you remain well, a spokesman said.

Anyone who develops a feverish illness accompanied by any of the symptoms mentioned above should contact their GP by phone or call NHS direct on 0845 4647.
 
The Mexican health secretariat advised people to "avoid large crowds, shaking hands, kissing people as a greeting or using the subway. Maintaining a distance of at least six feet from other persons and frequent handwashing may decrease the risk of exposure."

Some countries have warned against travel to Mexico and North America because of the outbreak, but the British government has yet to impose any travel restrictions.

The EU health commissioner, however, has urged people to postpone non-essential travel to the US or Mexico due to swine flu.

Passengers returning from Mexico City to some British airports have been delayed onboard to allow officials to carry out health assessments and ask about their recent travel history.
Cases have so far been confirmed in Mexico, the US, Canada and Spain. Suspected cases in as many as seven other countries are still being investigated.