Are you prepared for a Flu Pandemic?

A pandemic is a global disease outbreak.  A Flu Pandemic occurs when a new flu virus emerges for which people have little, or no, immunity.  This will allow the virus to spread quickly and widely.

The Department of Health is the lead department for pandemic flu planning.  The government has developed a national plan and, in Gwent, a multi-agency group has developed plans local to our area.  The Government also have a stockpile of anti-virals.

What can you do?

The Department of Health have published a range of information to inform the public about the risk of a flu pandemic.  This Information can be found on their website. 

Good respiratory and hand hygiene practices can help to reduce transmission of all viruses. 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
• Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product
• Making sure your children follow this advice

What are we doing?

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, in line with our established emergency planning procedures, is monitoring the global situation, considering any potential impact on Blaenau Gwent and liaising with health and emergency response partners.

Residents can be assured that contingency plans are in place should an outbreak escalate.

Any action taken by the council will be based on advice from the health authorities.

Swine Flu - General information.

Symptoms of Swine Flu are similar to those of seasonal flu, usually a feverish illness accompanied by one or more of:- a cough, a sore throat, a headache or muscle aches.

If you have flu-like symptoms, stay at home, phone your GP or NHS Direct Wales and you will be assessed and receive treatment if necessary.  Do not go into your GP surgery or hospital Accident and Emergency department unless you are advised to do so or are seriously ill, as you may spread the illness to others.

People should not go to hospital Accident and Emergency Departments or to their GP surgery without ringing first, as this may risk spreading the infection.  It also places undue pressure on the emergency services.

The Welsh Assembly Government has now produced a swine flu community update which helps community groups understand the likely impact of swine flu on individuals and their wider communities.  It also provides advice to people on how they can look after themselves during the outbreak.

Further information and updates on Swine Flu are available from the Welsh Assembly Government Website

The World Health Organisation (WHO) monitors & issues alerts as part of the Global Influenza Preparedness Plan.  For further information on the current WHO Alert Level, visit the World Health Organisation website.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council's Civil Contingencies Team would closely monitor developments and liaise with health and other emergency response partners both locally and nationally.  Contingency arrangements would be in place to deal with any escalation of the situation as well as supporting a Gwent multi-agency group which has developed plans local to our area.

What you can do.
Please remember there would be no immediate cause for concern, well established contingency plans would be put in place to deal with a situation and reduce the spread of the virus.

Personal Measures
To reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus you should:
· Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, using a tissue.
· Dispose of the tissue quickly and carefully.
· Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.
· Clean hard surfaces, (like door handles and remote controls) frequently with a normal cleaning product.

Households across the UK should have received a Swine Flu Information Leaflet. (see related documents). This leaflet includes information about what swine flu is and how it could spread, what the UK government has done to prepare for a wider outbreak of flu, how you can protect yourself against flu and what to do if you have flu symptoms.

Swine Flu Advice for Businesses.

Many UK organisations have produced advice for businesses in planning for H1N1 Swine Flu and implementing business continuity arrangements to help mitigate any disruption caused by the spread of the virus.

The NHS Guidance For Employers In The Workplace booklet, (see related documents), provides advice on how businesses can help reduce the spread of Flu and provides information on the types of measures that may be used in their particular occupational setting.

The following links provide useful information for businesses:

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has a Swine flu for businesses advice section which contains HPA guidance for workplaces plus infection control guidelines for specific sectors that have been developed by the HPA and NHS for use during an influenza pandemic.

To help businesses plan for a Flu Pandemic the Cabinet Office have produced a Pandemic Influenza Checklist for Businesses.

ACAS has produced advice and guidance on managing the impact of swine flu in the workplace.

General advice for employers for the current Swine Flu situation are available from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

The Business Continuity Institute promotes Business Continuity Management Worldwide and provides updates for business on Swine Flu.

Information Links.
· Welsh Assembly Government - All the latest news.
· Public Health Wales (PHW) - Latest information & guidance.
· NHS Direct Wales - Health advice.
· Health Protection Agency - Advice for the public.
· National Health Service - Important information about Swine Flu.
· Department of Health - Latest information.
· Direct Gov - Swine Flu - Everything you need to know.
· BBC - Questions & Answers on Swine Flu.

Other Useful Links.
· Aneurin Bevan Health Board
· Foreign & Commonwealth Office
· European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC)
· World Health Organisation swine influenza webpages

The latest information is available via the swine flu pre-recorded information line:  0800 1 513 513.