It's true!

Everything is happening so fast.

Our doctor came round to the house with a doctor and nurse from the Health Service. He explained that Jenny had acquired the H5N1 virus when she had been in Thailand. He told us to watch the news as there was going to be an announcement this evening but he couldn't say any more.

He then said that Kirsty would have to go to an isolation unit for observation. We didn't want her to go but they explained that she would get expert medical supervision. If she's clear in the next three days she can come home. We have been told to stay at home for the next week.

I can't explain what it was like seeing Kirsty going off with them - it all happened so quickly we didn't even say goodbye properly.

We were told to take some basic measures can be taken at the individual level to reduce the risk of infection:
1. respiratory hygiene: covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
2. disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully – bagging and binning them
3. avoiding nonessential travel and large crowds, where possible
4. handwashing frequently with soap and water: reduces acquiring the virus from contact with infected surfaces and from passing it on
5. cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. kitchen worktops, door handles) frequently, using a normal cleaning product
6. making sure your children follow this advice.
We were given this pamphlet.

We watched the News at 9.00 and PM Gordon Brown made a statement that the H5N1 virus had mutated in Thailand and was being passed on through human to human contact. He confirmed the death of a student in Edinburgh and that a number of other people who had been in direct contact with the deceased were being placed in quarantine. He appealed for any passengers on Jenny's flight to come forwards and make themselves known if they haven't been contacted by the authorities.

I went onto the web and found the following link - I hope they act on this advice and close the schools immediately.

I've decided to keep this chronicle going in the meantime as it's the only place where I can seem to stand outside the horrendous reality of what's happening. For the first time in my adult life I'm scared.