We call is swine flu, you call it 'La grippe porcine'

Swine flu has been in the news in the UK for months now, but over here in France the epidemic seems to have spread more slowly with less dramatic incidents being recorded in the local media.

On 10th November the local authorities made the decision to close the primary school in the centre of Val Thorens after 15 cases of swine flu, but the school re-opened on the following Tuesday. To date, this is the first and only case of a school closing in Savoie, whilst over in Haute Savoie there has been one school shut due to swine flu, but not near any of the ski resort areas.

If you listen to the radio or watch TV in France at the moment, there are constant adverts informing you of the nationwide vaccination programme that has been launched by the French government. Letters are being sent to people in order of priority (namely medical professionals, pregnant women and school children first) and special vaccination clinics have been set up all over France.

The measures are voluntary, but the argument is that if you take the vaccination you will be preventing the epidemic, which is known as 'La grippe A/H1N1' in France, from spreading, which the French believe is the key to the epidemic.

Our spies tell us that on arriving at Geneva airport, announcements are being made regarding precautions to swine flu and making travellers aware of the advice to prevent the epidemic spreading. You may even seen some employees wearing facemasks.

What caught our eye though was news in the British press that the traditional Christmas office party kiss under the mistletoe is under threat as workers have been advised to just kiss on the cheeks and 'carefully select who we go for'! What better excuse than swine flu for avoiding locking lips with boring Barry from accounts at your office party this year and heading for that Robert Pattinson lookalike instead! Perfect!

Pic : 20minsutes