SWINE FLU

If you have recently returned from the affected areas of Mexico and/or the U.S and are experiencing influenza like illness you should stay at home to limit contact with others, and seek medical advice by contacting NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or your GP.

At work, the most important thing we can do is to practice good respiratory and hand hygiene to help reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza. This includes:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.

• 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.

The government is to start distributing a leaflet on swine flu to all UK households next week.

The Department of Health has produced the leaflet to give information about swine flu, including:

• more details about swine flu and how it could spread;
• what the UK governments have done to prepare for a wider outbreak of flu;
• what you can do to protect yourself and others against flu;
• other actions you can take in case swine flu does become more widespread;
• what to do if you think you have flu symptoms; and
• how you can keep up to date with the latest information about swine flu.
• The leaflet is available for download from www.nhs.uk