As fears over swine flu continue to rise in Israel, there have been a couple of unusual suggestions as to how to defeat the outbreak.

Top paediatrician Dr Ilan Youngster has warned that there could be a risk of infection from kissing a mezuzah. He recommended that people stop kissing them.

Former Sephardi chief rabbi Shlomo Amar commented that while he was not thrilled by the suggestion, those who wanted to follow the recommendation could put their hand near the mezuzah and kiss it.

Meanwhile, Rabbi Amar has a different strategy for beating the flu. He called on the public to fast last Wednesday, on Rosh Chodesh Ellul, in order to defeat the pandemic.

We always thought that hot drinks were the best strategy.