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Swine Flu Public Briefing 30 th July 2009 Brian Simmonds Head of Community Safety and Licensing

Swine Flu Public Briefing 30 th July 2009 Brian Simmonds Head of Community Safety and Licensing What is Swine Flu? New strain of influenza found in over 100 countries Despite its name it can’t be caught from pigs or pork It is very similar to seasonal influenza

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Swine Flu Public Briefing 30 th July 2009 Brian Simmonds Head of Community Safety and Licensing

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  1. Swine Flu Public Briefing30th July 2009Brian Simmonds Head of Community Safety and Licensing

  2. What is Swine Flu? • New strain of influenza found in over 100 countries • Despite its name it can’t be caught from pigs or pork • It is very similar to seasonal influenza • Symptoms are generally mild - particularly in the UK • Most recover in a week, even without treatment • Some people do not realise they have it • But a small number (mostly with underlying health conditions) will develop much more serious issues

  3. Common symptoms • Fever • Sore throat • Diarrhoea • Headache • Feeling generally unwell • Dry cough

  4. How is it spread ? • Infected droplets entering the mucus membranes (mouth and eyes) • These can be scattered by coughing or sneezing. Airborne germs die very quickly within a matter of moments. Those on surfaces can infect for hours • You are more likely to catch flu from touching an infected surface and then touching your face than any other means NOTE A person is only infectious if they have the symptoms

  5. What’s the best way to prevent it spreading • Regular surface cleaning and hand washing will reduce threat. • Regular hand washing • Good hand and respiratory hygiene

  6. If you think you have Swine Flu? Stay at home to prevent further spread Check their symptoms with: • www.nhs.uk; • The Swine Flu Information Line • 0800 1 513 513 • NHS Direct • 0845 46 47 • www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

  7. Still concerned? • Call your GP, who will be able to provide a clinical diagnosis over the phone. • Your GP will supply either a unique reference number or a voucher which your “Flu Friend” can then take to the Pharmacy or local collection centre to pick up your medicine – More about collection points later • A flu friend is someone who knows you and does not display flu symptoms

  8. Who is most at risk of more serious harm? • Chronic lung disease • Chronic heart disease • Chronic kidney disease • Chronic liver disease • Chronic neurological disease • Low immune system • Diabetes mellitus • Had drug treatment for asthma within past 3 years • Pregnant women • Under 5s • 65 years and older (The oldest person in the UK with SF is only 61!) These should have anti-virals within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms

  9. So what about a vaccine? • A new vaccine was needed, but its not yet ready • There has been good progress - first batches due in August • 60 million doses will be ready by December. Enough for 1/2 the population (each person requires two doses). • And enough vaccine ordered for the entire population

  10. OK, so what’s next? • Its prudent to plan for large numbers of Swine Flu victims, perhaps hundreds of thousands of people • There is a National Flu line service for phone / online advice and diagnosis • We have an Antiviral Collection in The River Room, Castle Hall, 1 The Wash, Hertford, SG14 1PS • The opening hours are likely to change but up to date information can be found by clicking here Businesses • Businesses can expect a 30% absentee rate (10% actually infected and 20% looking after patients/family) • Employees are typically off work for less than one week

  11. How would your place of work cope with swine flu absences Does your work place have: • A business continuity plan for emergencies? • An up to date contact list for all staff? • Publicised and clear hygiene procedures? • Identified critical services? • Well trained and informed staff?

  12. National Flu Service – How it works • This will assess sufferers by phone or online • It will allocate unique authorisation number if appropriate • A “flu friend” should collect medicine on behalf of the patient from the Collection Point Remember - a Flu Friend shouldn’t have the symptoms so won’t be infectious Before anti-virals will be issued at the Collection Point, the Flu Friend will need to bring along:- • The unique number • Their own personal ID • The patients ID

  13. Antiviral Collection Point • Ours is in the River Room, Castle Hall, Hertford SG14 1PS • For a map of its location click here • Remember both sets of ID and the unique reference number • People with flu symptoms will not be admitted

  14. And finally... The best way to stop Swine Flu from spreading: • Good respiratory and hand hygiene. • Catch your sneeze in a tissue, place it quickly in a bin and wash your hands and surfaces regularly to kill the virus.

  15. Check symptoms with • www.nhs.uk; • Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513; • NHS Direct 0845 46 47 • or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk Brian Simmonds Head of Community Safety East Herts Council

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