Public Advised to Continue with Good Hygiene Practice
19.05.2009
Gloucestershire’s Director of Public Health, Dr Shona Arora is asking people in Gloucestershire to continue following good hygiene practice as the number of cases of swine flu in the UK increases.
Gloucestershire does not have any confirmed cases of swine flu at present but this does not mean that people can become complacent.
Households should have begun to receive their ‘Important Information about Swine Flu’ leaflet from the Department of Health. The advice in this leaflet should be followed closely. The leaflet should be kept for reference rather than placed in a bin or recycled.
Director of Public Health, Dr Shona Arora, said:
“Please be assured that NHS Gloucestershire, together with its partners, is working hard to build on the plans that have been developed to date and take the necessary actions to best protect our staff, patients and the public in the evne tof a pandemic.”
“We have clear plans in place for service and business continuity should the current situation escalate, and agreed care and treatment arrangements across the NHS.
“For now, people can get the latest advice on swine fl by calling the national information line on 0800 1 513 513 and by reading the leaflet they will have been sent by the Department of Health.
Although we have no confirmed cases in Gloucestershire, we want people to remain vigilant. Flu can spread very quickly and it only takes on person to leave germs on a surface that is touched by others for this to happen.
“We are encouraging people to download the hygiene poster information form our website at www.nhsglos.nhs.uk and display this material in workplaces, schools, community centres, shops and other places. Alongside the leaflet this poster will continue to highlight the need to follow good hygiene practice.”
Dr Arora is advising people to adopt good hygiene practice as normal:
- Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue whenever possible
- Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully – bag and bin them
- Maintain good hygiene – washing hands frequently with soap and water
- Clean hard surfaces (e.g. kitchen worktops, door handles) frequently, using a normal cleaning product
- Stay at home when you are sick – if you have a cough and a fever, it is best to rest at home, take medicines to relieve the symptoms and drink plenty of fluids. This will speed your recovery and help prevent the spread of infection.
NHS Gloucestershire is monitoring the situation in the county and working closely with NHS South West and the Health Protection Agency to ensure it acts on the latest information.
The advice to people who have recently visited an affected area (e.g. Mexico or the USA) remains the same.
If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms and they have developed within 7 days of visiting an affected area, you should stay at home (to limit contact with others), and seek medical advice by contacting NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or by telephoning your GP surgery. Further advice is available on the NHS Direct website or from the national swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513.
As a precautionary measure some people who are symptomatic may be referred for testing for a range of respiratory and other illnesses, in line with UK health guidance.
