Lyndsay Moss: Never mind 'hype', swine flu remains a very real danger to health of the world

In that time, more than 12,000 cases of infection by the virus – more politely referred to as H1N1 by sensitive types, usually politicians – have been diagnosed around the world. This includes more than 130 cases in the UK.

And while more than 80 deaths have been linked to swine flu so far, most cases outside Mexico appear to have been mild, and patients have recovered none the worse for wear.

Undoubtedly, the fact that no-one in the UK has died from H1N1 has made us...