Although much has been said about Mexican flu, many questions remain unanswered. As of today, every two weeks Radio Netherlands Worldwide will put these questions to Professor Ab Osterhaus of Rotterdam's university hospital, the Erasmus Medical Centre, and head of the National Influenza Centre for the World Health Organisation (WHO) in the Netherlands.

The first question for Professor Osterhaus concerns the production of the vaccine to protect people against the Mexican Flu. When will this be available?

Up to now, influenza A H1N1 has been a mild variant of the influenza virus, and no worse than ordinary winter flu. Patients display the usual symptoms: tiredness, aching muscles and a general feeling of illness. In most cases, the best remedy is to stay at home until you recover. If one does get the disease the anti-viral medicine Tamiflu will cure the patient. But to whom is this medicine available?

There is a danger that use of medicines such as Tamiflu will cause the H1N1 virus to mutate and become  resistant to such treatements. This makes it more important to develop a vaccine as quickly as possible.

According to virologist Professor Osterhaus, wearing protective masks against the Mexican flu isn't an effective measure. Only so-called Class 2 masks work, but you can't wear these masks all day.

Professor Osterhaus is worried about the availability of vaccines or anti-viral medicines for the third world. He thinks the developed countries should consider sharing part of their stockpiles with the world's poor countries.