Two suspected cases of swine flu being investigated in Prague

Two suspected cases of swine flu are being investigated by doctors in Prague’s Bulovka and Motol hospitals, it was announced on Monday evening. One of the two patients undergoing tests fell ill upon return from Mexico, a spokesperson at Bulovka hospital told press. Prague’s Ruzyně Airport has launched an information campaign and is offering medical check-ups in light of an outbreak of swine flu in Mexico which has so far claimed over 140 lives. Some 20 beds at Prague’s Bulovka hospital have been readied in case of an outbreak in the Czech Republic, and 2 million vaccinations against the flu are at Czech doctors’ disposal, the country’s chief health inspector, Michael Vít, has said.

In related news, the Czech EU presidency is working to convene an extraordinary meeting of the bloc’s health council to discuss the possible threat posed by the swine flu outbreak this Monday. The meeting itself is expected to be held on Thursday. European politicians have, in the meantime, called for calm.

Author: Rosie Johnston