The UN’s top health chief has warned that it is impossible to stop the worldwide spread of Mexican flu. World Health Organisation head Margaret Chan was speaking at a summit in Mexico where representatives from 50 countries are discussing how to control the virus.

Delegates to the conference in the resort of Cancun will share their experiences of dealing with the H1N1 virus. The global pandemic has so far killed 332 people, and infected more than 77,000.

Free drugs
One of the worst affected areas has been Latin America, with the highest number of cases in Argentina. Ms Chan said poor countries in the Americas would receive free antiviral drugs to combat the spread of the illness. The Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche will supply 5.6 million packets of Tamiflu.

Seriously affected patients
The announcement came as the British government said it has completely given up on trying to control the pandemic, and is focusing instead on identifying the patients most likely to be seriously affected.

Maureen Baker from the Royal College of GPs said: “There are cases arising very quickly in the UK and therefore we’re no longer going to follow our previous policy of trying to contain the virus.

“With respect to the seriousness, fortunately most cases are mild but a small number of people do develop complications and do need to be admitted to hospital.

“It’s a balance, really, between being complacent – that’s not a good idea – or overreacting and getting alarmed. That’s not necessary either.”

More virulent

In the Netherlands, researchers from the Erasmus medical centre in Rotterdam have released findings that show Mexican flu makes people more ill than other strains. The team, led by Professor Ron Fouchier, said the flu has spread quickly because it is airborne.

Prof Fouchier said governments should avoid being complacent: "This virus is more pathogenic than  seasonal flu and therefore governments, companies and hospitals have to prepare for when it really hits.

"So far it has hit mostly in the summer season, and we know that influenza viruses don't like the summer, and  we should keep this in the back of our minds and prepare for when it hits our countries in the winter season."

Listen to an interview with Professor Ron Fouchier from the Erasmus medical centre in Rotterdam: