Norwegian politicians are taking the threat of Mexican flu seriously in the run-up to parliamentary elections later this month. Candidates say that, during the campaign, they will try to shake as few hands as possible and hug people less.

Christian Democrats are being warned by their party about the dangers of physical contact. The deputy leader of the Christian Democrats has been laid low for days after succumbing to the flu.

Not all Norway's politicians are taking the health threat so seriously. The country's right-wing Progress Party is refusing to join in what it calls Mexican flu paranoia, but its candidates do say they are washing their hands more often than normal.

Norway (Wikimedia Commons)