The first death of the A/H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as swine flu, occurred in Britain on Sunday, while 59 new cases were confirmed in the country on Monday.

The fatality is the first reported within Europe, but British health officials have stressed it is not an indication that the virus was becoming more virulent.

The victim, 38-year-old Jacqueline Fleming, had suffered from pre-existing health conditions, authorities have said. She had also recently given birth prematurely.

However, health officials said late Monday that the baby had not contracted the virus.

Doctors warned of rising pressure

As the virus spreads across Britain, there are increasing concerns that General Practitioners (GP), also known as primary healthcare physicians or family doctors, may be subject to undue pressures.

The British Medical Association (BMA) has warned that some GPs may be forced to withdraw their services should the risks to themselves increase.

The medical body says that GPs may be at risk not only from the virus, but also from patients angry at what they might perceive as a lack of care.

If the numbers of patients suffering from A/H1N1 increase, hospitals may be overwhelmed by admissions, the BMA says.

However, some GPs have been critical of the medical body. One GP, who preferred not to be named, told Xinhua, "I had not heard this report myself since I've been working today, but I'm surprised the BMA should be focused on such a narrow issue of self interest."

"I don't care for myself. I took an oath to help people to best of my ability, so as regards insurance I am not concerned," he said.

"I think they're missing the center of the target," he added. "The BMA should be more focused on what can be done to keep doctors well enough to treat their patients," the GP said.

Worrying situation

The BMA has said the number of admissions to hospital will rise significantly if a pandemic takes hold, putting further strain on the National Health Service (NHS) as a whole.

For every 100 patients with flu symptoms, up to four of them may require hospital admission, if there are beds available, the BMA says. Around 25 percent of them may require critical care with an average length of stay in hospital of up to 10 days. The BMA also says that scientific models suggest that up to 2.5 percent of all flu victims may die.

Already the effects of the disease have been felt with dozens of schools being periodically closed across the country as pupils contract the virus.

Meanwhile, the British government continues its effort to stockpile flu treatments such as Roche's Tamiflu, and Relenza, which is made by British pharmaceutical giant Glaxosmithkline.

Additionally, efforts are being made to prepare a vaccine, though it may be many months before it becomes available to the general public.

Global threat

The World Health organization last week declared a global pandemic, for some an indication of the seriousness of the situation.

At least 75 countries and regions around the world are now affected, and some have implemented more stringent health controls.

Apart from Mexico, where the virus appeared to originate, Britain, the United States, Canada, Chile and Australia have all shown the highest numbers of affected individuals.

The greatest fear amongst medical experts is the virus could mutate and become ever more deadly.

Domestically, various governments have launched health campaigns to advise the public on the risks.

In Britain, leaflets have been delivered to every household giving information on how the virus is spread and advising how best to protect oneself from it. The main advice to the public is to "catch it, bin it, kill it", by using a tissue when sneeze, disposing of it quickly and by washing hands regularly.

(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2009)