It is business as usual for health staff in Bristol city for now despite the swine flu outbreak, according to the ambulance service's key head emergency planner.

Richard McKeand works closely with other health organisations in the area and nationally to plan for serious incidents, including flu pandemics.

He spoke to the Post after a case of swine flu was confirmed in Devon.

A 12-year-old girl from Torbay who was on the same flight home from Mexico as the couple tested positively for the virus in Scotland. The girl's school has been closed as a precaution for seven days and 230 pupils have been offered anti-viral medication.

Two other cases were confirmed yesterday in Worcestershire and London. Both had recently returned from Mexico.

And last night the World Health Organisation raised its pandemic alert level to five out of six, meaning that the virus has caused sustained outbreaks in more than two neighbouring countries – Mexico and the US.

Raising the alert level means countries are urged to put plans to limit its effect into action.

Mr McKeand said that Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) has a comprehensive pandemic flu response plan and they have been working in partnership with the other health trusts, emergency services and authorities in the area.

They have ensured that the service has general masks and specialist masks for ambulance crews to wear if dealing with confirmed cases of swine flu.

Mr McKeand said the ambulance service is working closely with the Health Protection Agency both locally and nationally and clinical staff have been updated accordingly.

He said: "We are very prepared for this if it does become a pandemic. We have got very robust plans in place not just for the obvious things the public see, such as ambulances, but also in the infrastructure.

"We have also got additional stock of those consumables that at some stage may come into great demand within the organisation and across the country as well as the day to day usage. We have already placed additional top-up orders."

As health secretary Alan Johnson unveiled a new information line for people concerned over possible infection, Mr McKeand urged people not to call 999 with general health inquiries.

The service has already practised its responses to possible scenarios that could happen in a flu pandemic to ensure they know how to deal with situations if the outbreak continues to spread.

Health trusts in the area were advised to order stocks of face masks in the summer in preparation for the possibility of a pandemic but the public are being advised that they should not be used as protection for the general population.

Spokeswoman for NHS Bristol, Julie Hendry, said: "At present there are no confirmed cases of Swine Flu in the Avon area.

"Available scientific advice does not support the wearing of facemasks in the general population for those who are not ill. There are facemasks recommended for healthcare professionals who are caring very sick patients."

The information line providing advice about the swine flu outbreak, which was due to be up and running today, can be reached on 0800 151 3513.