Swine Flu Update

Following the World Health Organisation (WHO) announcement that we are at level 5 in terms of swine flu, NHS Herefordshire, Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust and Herefordshire Council are working closely together in an enhanced state of preparedness, in case we move to level 6 (influenza pandemic).

A Public Health Incident Team was established at the beginning of the week (Monday 27 April 2009). The team is working with the Health Protection Agency and Department of Health, as well as a range of partner agencies in Herefordshire, to provide help and advice for local people.

The NHS has been preparing for the possibility of a pandemic since 1998 and the UK is among the most prepared countries in the world. NHS Herefordshire, like all NHS organisations in the West Midlands, has a Pandemic Influenza Plan. The NHS has enough antivirals to treat half the population of the UK if they become ill.

Guidance for the public

The Department of Health has launched a Swine Flu Information Line - 0800 1513513 - which contains pre-recorded messages giving background to the disease and what we can all do to prevent its spread. It will refer callers who need more assistance to NHS Direct

A national door drop of information leaflets is expected to take place from next Tuesday. If you want copies of those leaflets now, download them from www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu.
 
To keep the public informed a mass public health campaign has started with TV and radio. The adverts remind people of the measures they can take to contain the spread of swine flu.

Information for public can be found on: http://www.nhs.uk/ and http://www.hpa.org.uk/ - as well as on the council's website http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/ and the primary care trust web site http://www.herefordshire.nhs.uk/

The advice is, if you have come back from Mexico or one of the affected countries, and have flu like symptoms, stay at home and call your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

There are simple steps that you and your family should take to help prevent catching colds and flu, based on good respiratory and hand hygiene.

• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue.
• Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Maintain good basic hygiene - wash hands often with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.
• Clean hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) often using a normal cleaning product
• Make sure your children follow this advice.

Guidance for schools

Schools and other children's services are expected to be operating as usual at present and there is additional guidance published on planning for, and responding to, pandemic flu. This can be found on the Teachernet website: http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/emergencies/planning/flupandemic/

WHO level 5 is still not a pandemic and there have been very few confirmed cases in the UK. However there is now increased urgency for local authorities, schools and others to review their existing plans or to start planning now, drawing on the Department for Children Schools and Families.

Guidance for businesses

Businesses can obtain more specific advice from www.businesslink.gov.uk/ which signposts to relevant guides on developing continuity plans. The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform website also has a relevant page with further references: http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/further-education-skills/guidance/flu-guidance

Businesses will find guidance on crisis management and business continuity planning useful as well as specific guidance for employers in the event of a pandemic.

News will be communicated regularly, so watch out for more updates.