Dr Tom Black, local British Medical Association spokesperson, made the comments after news reports predicited 1,800 people from Northern Ireland may die from the illness.

He said: "The message we need to get across is: it's a pandemic flu - this is new, we haven't seen this before and, yes, most of us will probably catch it.

“We must remember that, every year, there are deaths from complications of seasonal flu; this is, unfortunately, inevitable with any strain of influenza, but following the recommended advice will minimise the risk.

“Simple but effective hygiene measures such as frequent hand-washing can also help. Remember to cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, the put the tissue into a bin – catch it, bin it, kill it!”

Meanwhile, a local councillor has urged Derry holiday-makers to take out medical insurance or carry a European Health Insurance Card.

The message from Sinn Fein health spokesperson Billy Page comes after several leading airlines announced measures to prevent suspected swine flu victims from flying.

Some airports have also introduced medical screening for the swine flu virus for passengers arriving on international flights.

"I would urge anyone travelling abroad in the next few weeks to make sure they are fully covered with medical insurance and that it covers the cost of the holiday in the event that they may get the illness . For the sake of the extra twenty or thirty pounds on top of the holiday budget its well worth it for peace of mind."

An update from Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer has urged pregnant women to not worry unnecessarily about swine flu and to go about their lives as normal.

SDLP health spokesperson Mark H. Durkan has said it is 'very reassuring for expectant mothers' and added that the threat of swine flu 'should not be overplayed.'

“I encourage everyone to follow the departmental guidelines ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ and would urge people not to panic over the pandemic as the trusts have assured us that they will have vaccines in place to deal with the virus and the only people who should contact their doctor if displaying symptoms are the very young, pregnant women, older people and individuals with underlying health problems."