Experts warn of swine flu epidemic

Health experts have warned that there is potential for local outbreaks of swine flu across Europe during winter, but the continent is not likely to experience another pandemic during the spring and summer.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's (ECDC) flu risk assessment, transmission of the H1N1 virus during the warmer climate is likely operate at a low level.

The EDDC said: "It seems unlikely that there will be another spring/summer pandemic wave in Europe unless there are significant unrecognised uninfected populations or the virus changes and becomes more transmissible."

It said: "ECDC's advice to EU citizens remains to accept influenza vaccination when it is offered to them."

Last year the swine flu infection, which was first seen in Mexico and the US, gradually spread around the world within six weeks.

Noticing the trend, last June the World Health Organization (WHO) declared H1N1 to be the first influenza pandemic in 40 years.

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