NHS Suffolk, Press release re:
Suffolk remains well-prepared for swine flu

Following last weeks’ decision by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to change the global swine flu alert level to phase 6, NHS Suffolk would like to again reassure people established plans are in place to continue to deal with any increase in cases of swine flu.

So far, the majority of cases found in the UK have been mild, and there has been no evidence of widespread community transmission.

In the NHS Suffolk region, nine cases have now been confirmed through laboratory testing by the Health Protection Agency since the start of the outbreak in May. Individuals have received antiviral treatment and have recovered, or are in the process of recovering. Each day at 3pm the Health Protection Agency updates numbers for the East of England on its website, at www.hpa.org.uk/swineflu

Advice remains for individuals to carry on with their daily lives while also taking sensible precautions to reduce their chances of contracting the virus. Anyone who has flu-like symptoms should stay at home, limit the contact they have with other people and telephone their GP or NHS Direct. They will then be assessed and given treatment if necessary.

Dr Brian Keeble, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Suffolk said: “We are continuing work to slow the spread of the disease and to put in place arrangements with partner organisations to ensure that Suffolk is well-placed to deal with this new infection, including the supply of anti-virals to treat people if they become ill.”

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu infection – a feverish illness accompanied by one or more of the following:

· headache
· coughing
· sore throat
· muscle aches
· fatigue
· shortness of breath
· lack of appetite
· Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea

You can reduce the risk of spreading swine flu by:

· covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
· disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
· maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people
· cleaning hard surfaces, such as door handles, frequently using a normal cleaning product
· making sure your children follow this advice.

Further advice:

– Anyone who hasn’t experienced any symptoms should carry on their daily lives as normal while continuing to follow simple steps to help protect themselves and other people.

– These include ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’ – by covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible and disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.

– Maintaining good basic hygiene by, for example, washing hands frequently with soap and water, particularly before eating, will help to reduce the risk of you picking up the virus.

For further information visit these websites:

Department of Health
www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm

NHS Choices news
www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Health Protection Agency
www.hpa.org.uk

What are WHO regions?
www.who.int/about/regions/en/index.html