The use of antiviral drugs during a pandemic seems to be the treatment of choice at present [9] [10] [11] [12] , but not all countries can afford stockpiling enough drugs. Furthermore, concerns about the over-reliance of a "pharmaceutical solution" have been expressed [13] . An epidemic can also be mitigated by reducing contact rates in the general population and by decreasing the infectivity of cases [9] . Such reductions can be achieved by measures like quarantine and case isolation [14] , closing day care centres and schools, cancelling mass gathering events, voluntary self isolation and general behavioural changes in public and increasing social distance [8] .