Scottish health chiefs have been warned to prepare for a pandemic of a deadly bird flu virus which has already killed nearly 40 people.
The new strain, called A(H7N9), has infected more than 100 people and claimed the lives of 38 victims in China.
After a warning from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Health Protection Scotland (HPS) has alerted all health boards to be on guard against the virus.
Until the source of infection has been found and controlled, the number of cases is expected to rise.
A statement from HPS to all Scottish health boards warned: “The authors argue that the EU should prepare for importation of isolated human cases from the affected area.
“They further state that awareness among clinicians and local public health authorities, combined with nationally available testing, will be crucial and that the emergence of a novel reassortant influenza A(H7N9) underlines that pandemic preparedness remains important.”
Yesterday renowned bacteriologist Hugh Pennington admitted that, although the virus was unlikely to reach Scotland, health boards need to be ready for a pandemic.
Professor Pennington said: “It’s a different strain from previous ones, so we have to watch it quite carefully and we can’t make any assumptions about it. But from what we can tell, it is likely to have come from poultry in the Chinese markets and unfortunately it can transfer into people.
“The problem is that the birds don’t get particularly sick from this virus, so you don’t know they’re ill till later than you’d hope and by then it could be too late to stop it from having spread to humans in contact with the birds.
“Having said that, I think it’s pretty unlikely to come over to Europe as tourists are probably not going to be in the areas affected to be able to bring it over here, but if the strain mutates there is always the chance of a pandemic.
“In that respect the health boards have to be prepared, just in case the worst comes to the worst.”
A spokesman for NHS Tayside said: “NHS Tayside health protection team has been monitoring reports on the new influenza virus A(H7N9), all of the cases of which have been in China.
“The risk of spread to Europe and Scotland is low but, as a precaution, NHS Tayside GPs, hospital doctors and senior staff have been advised to remain alert.
“Basic hygiene precautions for anyone with symptoms of a respiratory infection include covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, discarding used tissues, and hand-washing.”