IT was inevitable that swine flu, the strain of the common illness that has now been declared a pandemic, would eventually reach Jersey.

It therefore came as no real surprise when we learned at the end of last week that the first case had been diagnosed here, the affected person having fallen ill after returning from a country where there were already a large number of infected individuals.

However, given the huge amount of publicity that this outbreak has received internationally, there is bound to be concern over what is now likely to happen. In spite of this, there is absolutely no need to panic.

Although, for example, it is true that there have been deaths overseas and a single fatality in the UK, the signs are that complicating factors such as other illnesses or general debility have been contributory factors.

And although it has been forecast that the new strain of flu has the potential to spread rapidly through this community, there is no reason to believe that we shall see anything remotely like the catastrophe of 1918, when Spanish flu – seemingly a far more virulent variety – killed some 300 Islanders in less than a month.

In reality, the Island is well prepared to cope with the arrival of the new flu virus. There is enough of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu in stock to treat the entire Island population. In addition, supplies of vaccine have been ordered – though these are not expected to arrive before the autumn in preparation for winter, the season when people are most susceptible to all sorts of viruses that cause respiratory infections.

Furthermore, our health authorities and the emergency planning agencies have plans in place to help deal with flu if it reaches epidemic proportions in the Island. Public information leaflets, a helpline and online information in three languages – English, Portuguese and Polish – are all available to offer advice on minimising the risks of infection and transmission and coping with the symptoms.

Meanwhile, as health professionals have advised, individuals can do much to help themselves to avoid infection and then to prevent the spread of illness. The old slogan ‘coughs and sneezes spread diseases’ still applies, but people must also be aware that the flu virus can persist on surfaces for a considerable period and are spread by contact as well as by droplets in the air.