myPRESTWICH

On Thursday 2 July the Government announced a shift in policy for managing the Swine Flu outbreak.
As Swine Flu spreads and more people start to catch it, it makes sense to move from intensive efforts to CONTAIN the virus to focusing efforts on TREATING the increasing number of people who have the disease.

This means that the UK’s Pandemic Flu plans will change from the containment and outbreak management policies to the treatment phase.
What measures have the Government and health officials taken so far to contain the virus?
As little was known about the new flu virus when the outbreak started, it was sensible to take all necessary precautions to try and slow its spread whilst health official learnt more about it. To do this the NHS and Health Protection Agency:

Tested patients suspected of having Swine Flu to confirm the infection;
Offered antivirals to all patients of or confirmed as having Swine Flu;
Collected detailed information about these patients to learn more about how the virus affects people;
Closed schools where medical advice deemed it appropriate;
Traced people who had close contact with patients and gave them antivirals to try and prevent the flu from spreading more widely.

During the containment phase the Government and health officials have had more time to understand the characteristics of the new virus, to build up medical supplies and to make significant progress towards developing the vaccine.

Why are we now moving to the Treatment phase and what does this mean in practice?

There are now signs that the spread of the virus is accelerating, although there currently remains only a small number of cases confirmed in Bury. Nationally, though the number of new cases n the UK is doubling every seven days, and we have recently seen the development of some hotspot areas, where Swine Flu is particularly prevalent, such as areas of Scotland and the West Midlands.

The Government has always been clear that, at some point, they would need to take the decision to move from containment to treatment across the UK. This will mean the NHS taking the lead as national systems to deal with increasing numbers of Swine Flu cases.

In practical terms this means that the Government and NHS will be taking the following action:
GPs will be able to diagnose Swine Flu on the basis of symptons rather than waiting for laboratory testing
All contact tracing will now cease, and the NHS will no longer issue antiviral drugs to people who may have been exposed to the virus.
Anyone who has contracted Swine Flu should continue to be offered anti virals until further notice.
It will remain a matter for clinical discretion to decide whether antivirals should be prescribed to individual cases, where doctors are contacted by patients with coughs and colds.
Local PCT’s will now begin to establish designated antiviral collection points in the local community.

What should you do if you think you have Swine Flu?
The most comprehensive information about Swine Flu can be found at: NHS website.
Definition of flu like symptoms
Fever (a temperature of at least 38°C) and either influenza-like illness (two or more of the following symptoms: cough, sore throat, runny nose, limb/joint pain, headache).

Advice
It is extremely important that if you think you have swine flu, you do not go to hospital or to your GP. If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned because you think you have been in contact with someone who may have had Swine Flu:

Stay at home.
Check your symptoms on the NHS Direct website, if possible.
Call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 to hear the latest advice.
If you are still concerned, call your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Do not go into your GP surgery, or to a hospital as, if you do have Swine Flu you may spread the virus to others who are already unwell and less able to cope with the new strain of flu.

Bury Council staff
A telephone hotline has been set up for staff who are concerned; 0161 253 7575.

Remember:
Pandemic means the number of WHO regions reporting they have confirmed cases of Swine Flu. It does NOT relate to the severity of the virus of the number of people affected.
Swine Flu symptoms have responded very well to antiviral treatment.
Develop a group of ‘Flu Friends’ who can help you if you or someone you are caring for has flu-like symptoms.
Follow the ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’ guidance and increase your hand hygiene.
If you think you might have Swine Flu follow the advice above. Do not go to the hospital or your GP.
Although we are moving to a new phase in the response to Swine Flu it is important that people continue to do everything they can to stop Swine Flu from spreading. Remember to keep practising good hand hygiene and the ‘Catch It, Kill It, Bin It’ message.