NHS Suffolk, Press release re:
Swine flu
‘Phase five’ – what does it mean?
In the light of the World Health Organisation’s decision to change the global swine flu situation to phase five, NHS Suffolk would like to inform people in Suffolk as to what this means.
Today, Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, the Government’s Chief Medical Advisor, said: “Phase five indicates that WHO considers a global pandemic to be imminent, whereas at phase four a global pandemic is not inevitable. A change to phase five is a signal to countries’ governments to ramp up their pandemic preparations – which we are already doing.
“We have been planning for a situation like this for some years. The preparations we have in place and are continuing to make will help to ensure we respond well in the event of a pandemic. If you have returned from an affected area and have flu like symptoms stay at home, call your GP or NHS Direct and you will be assessed and receive treatment if necessary.”
Households across Suffolk will soon be receiving an information leaflet about swine flu. This leaflet includes information about what swine flu is and how it could spread, what the UK government has done to prepare for a wider outbreak of flu, how you can protect yourself against flu and what to do if you have flu symptoms. The Department of Health has also now set up a Swine Flu information line 0800 1 513 513.
Dr Brian Keeble, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Suffolk said: “There are no confirmed cases in the East of England. We would also like to remind people there are simple steps that everyone can take to help prevent catching colds and flu based on good respiratory and hand hygiene.
“Always use a tissue to catch your sneezes, throw away used tissues where germs can linger and regularly wash your hands – particularly before eating food.”
For further information, please visit the following websites
In addition, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is now advising against all but essential travel to Mexico. For further information, visit the FCO website: www.fco.gov.uk
