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Swine flu is more infectious than seasonal flu but is not as dangerous as the 1918 Spanish flu virus.
That assessment is from Health Minister Eddie Teare, in a written reply to a question in Tynwald this week.
Mr Teare also says the virus is likely to cause more complications than seasonal flu.
The Island's director of public health recently said there was no need to panic about swine flu, but nobody should be complacent either.
The World Health Organisation flu alert remains at level five and the situation in the United Kingdom now appears to be under control.
Dr Parameswaran Kishore's advice remains the same - anybody who thinks they may have the virus should stay at home and phone their GP for advice.
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