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Community safety
Emergencies
Pandemic flu : Swine influenza (H1N1)
The spread of swine flu (H1N1) from Mexico has heightened concern in Great Britain regarding the risk of an influenza pandemic developing in the near future. There is a heightened concern around the world regarding the risk of an influenza pandemic developing in the near future. This site provides links to local, National and International plans, policies and documents to improve preparedness for pandemic influenza.
Adur District Council in common with other Sussex Local Authorities is undertaking a process of contingency planning and preparedness ahead of possible increases in flu related illnesses locally. The Council is working with local Primary Care Trusts (PCT) and West Sussex NHS to ensure that residents of Adur have access to the best possible information and guidance.
Pandemic Flu: Swine Influenza (H1N1) - Last update 23rd July 2009
Important changes have been announced today to the way in which the NHS is managing the growing swine flu pandemic in England. Read the latest official advice to help protect yourself, your family and others.
Key messages
If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu:
- Stay at home and check your symptoms on the NHS website (www.nhs.uk/conditions/pandemic-flu/pages/symptoms.aspx)
- See also NHS press release 24 July 2009 National Pandemic Flu Service goes live (.PDF 33kb)
- You should call your GP directly if:
- you have a serious underlying illness
- you are pregnant
- you have a sick child under one year old
- your condition suddenly gets much worse
- your condition is still getting worse after seven days (or five days for a child)
Note: The National Pandemic Flu Service is a self-care service that will assess your symptoms and, if required, provide an authorisation number which can be used to collect antiviral medication from a local collection point. For those who do not have internet access, the same service can be accessed by telephone on:
- Telephone: 0800 1 513 100
- Minicom: 0800 1 513 200
For more information on the National Pandemic Flu Service go to Flu Service - Q&A (on the NHS website) (www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/QA.aspx#whatisthenational)
Key actions
Swine flu is spreading fast in the UK. Prepare now by:
- Learning to recognise the symptoms of swine flu
- Establishing ‘flu friends’ - friends and relatives who can help if you fall ill
- Keeping paracetamol-based cold remedies in the house
- Having a thermometer available so you can check your temperature if needed
Note: If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours please check on them. They may need your help but be reluctant to ask for it. It is important you do what you can.
Useful advice
It is always good practice to follow respiratory and hand hygiene such as:
- 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.
- Cleaning hard surfaces (eg door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
- Making sure your children follow this advice.
See also :
Useful websites
The primary responsible for health care rests with the NHS and all enquiries related to health issues should be made through that service for further information please go to the following external websites :
- The Department of Health (www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm)
- Directgov (www.direct.gov.uk) see also Directgov - swineflu (www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/DG_177831) and Directgov - pandemic flu (www.direct.gov.uk/en/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_178842.htm)
- NHS websites :
- NHS Direct (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk)
- NHS in England (www.nhs.uk)
- West
Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) (www.westsussex.nhs.uk)
(formed following the merger of Adur, Arun & Worthing Primary Care Trust, Western Sussex Primary Care, Trust Horsham & Chanctonbury Primary Care Trust, Crawley Primary Care Trust and Mid-Sussex Primary Care Trust ) - South
East Coast Strategic Health Authority (/www.southeastcoast.nhs.uk)
(formed following the merger of Kent and Medway Strategic Health Authority with Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority)
- Health Protection
Agency (HPA) website (www.hpa.org.uk) - including :
- Avian influenza (www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1160495617087?p=1160495617087)
- Swine influenza (www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1240732817665?p=1240732817665)
- A to Z of infections (www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1153846673347?p=1153846673347)
- Commonly asked questions and answers (www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1240812255916?p=1240812233855)
- Symptoms to look out for (www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1240732817824?p=1240812233855)
- How you can protect yourself and your family against infection (www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1240812233855?p=1240812233855)
- Vaccine information statements information in different languages : www.immunize.org/vis (Note : this is an American site but the information on it may assist Adur residents for whom English is not their first language).
- Cabinet Office (www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk)
Useful documents on our website :
- NHS Flu Pandemic document - March 2005 (.PDF 337kb)
- Health Protect Agency (HPA) Pandemic Flu document - Feb 2005 (.PDF 161kb)
- Adur DC flu presentation (.PDF 645kb)
