Bristol's health services have "well prepared" plans for dealing with a flu pandemic, says the city's director of public health.

The assurance from Hugh Annett came as the first two British cases of swine flu were confirmed last night, with another seven people showing possible symptoms of the disease.

An outbreak of swine flu has reportedly led to more than 100 deaths in Mexico and cases have also been found in the United States, Canada and Spain, raising fears that it could become a pandemic – a worldwide epidemic.

A consultant for the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said it was not possible to predict how many people in the city could be affected if the disease arrived. But health bosses are encouraging Bristolians to take steps to minimise the chances of spreading swine flu.

Bristol HPA consultant Charles Irish said that people who have returned from areas where human cases of swine flu have been identified should monitor their health closely for seven days after their return but should not isolate themselves unless they feel unwell.

Anyone who suffers a feverish illness with a cough, sore throat, headache and muscle aches should stay at home and contact their GP by phone, detailing recent travel.

Advice also includes covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, washing hands frequently with soap to reduce the spread of the virus, and cleaning surfaces that are frequently touched, such as door handles.

Dr Irish said vulnerable groups, such as the very young, old and people with chronic diseases tended to be most at risk of flu.

He said: "The risk to the people of Bristol, though currently low, may well increase rapidly but it is not possible to predict how many people will be infected.

"Most cases outside of Mexico, so far, have been fairly mild. It remains to be seen how things develop both in terms of severity and the number of people infected."

Dr Irish said that airports and ports posed an increased risk to the spread of swine flu because initially it will be spread by people coming into the country from abroad.

Bristol International Airport is working closely with the HPA and other authorities and will follow guidelines around the issue of swine flu as required. Flights to the Mexican resort of Cancun are due to start at the airport next week.

Health trusts have pandemic flu plans, which include antiviral treatment and immunisation, and will be monitoring the situation to determine whether they need to put them into operation.

Dr Annett said: "The NHS in Bristol has well prepared plans for pandemic flu. We have developed plans to provide a robust response locally to an influenza pandemic – reducing the impact on health, safeguarding essential services and minimising social disruption.

"We are in close contact with the HPA and the Department of Health who are monitoring the situation and any threat it may pose to the UK population."

Are you due to fly to a country infected by swine flu, such as Mexico, the USA and Canada, or do you know someone who is? Call the Evening Post on 0117 934 3240 or send us an email.