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Swine flu update 30 June 2009
| Published: 1st July 2009 16:33 |
As cases of swine flu increase across the country, NHS Barking and Dagenham urges local people to follow basic hygiene advice and take sensible precautions.
Anyone who has flu-like symptoms or who is worried should not go to A&E but should stay at home and contact
NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or their GP for advice.
Matthew Cole, Director of Public Health at NHS Barking and Dagenham and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, said, "So far, we've only had a few cases of swine flu in the borough but we are likely to have more. People can prepare now by talking to friends and relatives and agreeing to act as ‘flu friends' for each other, so there's someone who can collect medicines and supplies for people if they're ill. It's also worth checking the contents of the medicine cupboard to see whether there are enough cold and cough remedies for the family.
"Anyone prescribed anti-viral medication by their GP is easily able to obtain this from a number of pharmacies across the borough and there are arrangements already in place to ‘step-up' or ‘step-down' places where this medication is available as numbers of cases increase or decrease.
"As with any sort of flu, the severity and duration of symptoms will vary depending on treatment and individual circumstances. Most cases reported in the UK to date have been relatively mild, with those affected starting to recover within a week."
The borough's Influenza Planning Committee, which includes NHS Barking and Dagenham, the Council and Police, continues to meet regularly to ensure all agencies are fully prepared to deal with any stage of the current flu pandemic. Local actions are based on the situation here in the borough, taking into account the situation in the rest of the country and across the world. No organisations or premises in the borough have been closed due to swine flu.
Guidance for people with flu symptoms and links to national websites such as the Health Improvement Agency and NHS Direct appear on our website
www.bdpct.nhs.uk
For the most up-to-date information on the numbers of cases in the UK,
visit www.hpa.org.uk
Advice for the public
• Visit the NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk) for information and questions and answers about Swine Flu. There is an online flu symptom checker on both http://www.nhs.uk and the NHS Direct website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
• Ring the national Swine Flu Information Line (0800 1 513 513). This provides pre-recorded information about Swine Flu.
• Call the NHS Direct telephone service (0845 4647). Callers with flu-like symptoms, who have internet access, will be asked to try our online flu symptom checker first. If necessary, they will be able to request a call back from an advisor. Otherwise callers are asked to hold to speak to someone who can help.
• Contact your GP over the phone.
Follow hygiene advice: Catch it. Bin it. Kill it.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
• Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Maintain 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.
• Clean hard surfaces (eg, door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
• Make sure your children follow this advice.
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