We recognise that residents and visitors may have concerns about the current outbreak of swine flu, particularly, in light of recent outbreaks in our schools and nurseries.
We are following the guidance from the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Department of Health (DH), Department for Education and World Health Organisation (WHO).
We are working closely with partner agencies to ensure that we monitor the situation, plan and respond accordingly.
The latest information about swine flu and the advice being given to the general public as well as early years and nursery settings, childminders and schools is contained in the following web pages.
Remember:
- There is no immediate cause for concern and in most cases the illness is mild
- Look out for signs of symptoms - high temperature, cough, sneezes, nausea, aching joints
- Catch it, Kill it, Bin it will prevent the spread of infection:
- Catch it: Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your coughs or sneeze
- Bin it: Bin the tissue
- Kill it: Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Swine Flu?
Swine Flu is an illness, caused by a new strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1. It is related to the virus that causes seasonal flu in humans.
2. What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to those produced by seasonal flu. These include:
- A fever (high temperature) is the key symptom, combined with other complaints which may include:
- A cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and aching limbs
- Some people with the virus have also reported nausea and diarrhoea.
As with seasonal flu, the severity of symptoms will depend on treatment and the individual.
3. Who is most at risk?
- Those with long term medical conditions particularly those with compromised immune systems
- Those who are over 65
- Young children under five
- Pregnant women.
4. How long will recovery take?
Many people have only suffered mildly and have begun to recover within a week. People are most infectious soon after they develop symptoms, but they cease to be a risk once those symptoms have disappeared. People can be infectious for up to two days before they show symptoms.
5. What should I do if I think I have Swine Flu?
People who think that they might have swine flu should contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1513 100
The service uses a checklist to diagnose whether people have swine flu and need access to anti-viral drugs. Those who are deemed to have swine flu are given a voucher number and asked to arrange for a “flu friend” to pick up anti-viral drugs from a distribution point.
6. How is it treated?
Two drugs commonly used to treat flu, Tamiflu and Relenza, are effective at treating infection. However, the drugs must be administered at an early stage to be effective. Use of these drugs may also make it less likely that infected people will pass the virus on to others.
7. What measures can I take to prevent infection?
- Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell and who have fever and cough.
- Good personal hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including swine flu. This includes covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible and disposing of it promptly.
- It is also important to wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people, and cleaning hard surfaces like door handles frequently using a normal cleaning product.
Remember Catch it, Bin It, Kill It.
8. Do I need to avoid contact with people who are suspected of having swine flu?
All suspected cases who have symptoms will have been told to self-isolate at home and restrict their contact with people. During the current swine flu outbreak, the vast majority of people should go about their normal activities, including going to school or work. This includes children who attend a school with a confirmed case of swine flu.
There is no need to avoid contact with people who might simply have come into contact with those having the illness, such as the parents of children at schools with a confirmed case but who are not themselves ill. Nor is it necessary to ask such people not to attend work, clubs, or social gatherings.
9. What should businesses plan for in terms of staff absence?
Organisations employing large numbers of people, with flexibility of staff redeployment, should ensure that plans are capable of handling cumulative staff absence rates of up to 15 per cent over a two to three week period.
Small businesses, or larger organisations with small critical teams, should plan for level of absence rising to 30-35 per cent, perhaps higher for very small businesses with only a handful of employees
10. What will schools be doing?
Schools will not be closed because of individual cases of swine flu, but they could close if the particular local circumstances warranted it. For example, there may be grounds for closure if a significant number of pupils or teachers are ill, or if it is a special school with particularly vulnerable pupils.
11. Where can I get further advice?
Further information and advice on swine flu can be found at websites of leading health and research organisations around the world.