Latest advice

Swine flu update - 27/11/09

The NHS has confirmed that the numbers of swine flu cases in England and the North West has decreased again in the past week.

The second phase of the swine flu vaccination programme has now been announced and the Department of Health has confirmed that children aged six months to five years will be the next priority group to receive the swine flu vaccination. 

GPs are currently vaccinating people from the first groups of people who have been identified as at risk; people aged 6 months to 65 years who have an underlying health condition; pregnant women; and people who live with those that have a weakened immune system.

The details of how the vaccination programme for children will be delivered are being finalised; but GPs will write to all those who are eligible to let them know about local arrangements.  The programme will not start until the first priority groups have been immunised.  The Department of Health is also looking at how to roll out a programme for people who are carers for disabled or elderly people.

University of Cumbria activity

The university’s Business Continuity Group continues to meet to monitor the situation and work on business continuity planning with senior managers. Members of the group continue to link in to national seminars and health organisations to ensure the latest advice and information is given throughout our own communication and business continuity processes.

Want more information? – go to

Swine flu update - 16/10/09

Number of cases in England and the North West

The NHS has this week confirmed that the number of swine flu cases nationally and in the region has increased again in the past week. This is reflected in the GP consultation rate for flu-like symptoms; and the number of anti-virals collected.

Advice to parents and carers

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) website carries some practical advice for parents and carers who may have concerns about their children returning to school/college this autumn. It covers advice to help reduce the spread of the swine flu virus; symptoms to look out for; and specific advice for parents.

The HPA has launched a further website, which is a useful resource if you want to talk to your children about bugs, viruses and so on in general. If you have a child under five with symptoms, you should telephone your usual GP service rather than use the National Pandemic Flu Service. If your child has swine flu and their symptoms continue to get worse, or you have concerns, you should telephone your GP for advice.

Both websites can be found at:

http://www.hpa.nhs.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1247816586652|

www.e-bug.eu/|

University of Cumbria activity

The university’s Business Continuity Group continues to meet every two weeks to monitor the situation and work on business continuity planning with senior managers for the new term. Members of the group are also linking in to national seminars and health organisations to ensure the latest advice and information is given throughout our own communication and business continuity processes.

Communication and advice continues to be cascaded to both staff and students. Every registering student has been provided with a specific advice card which holds information on symptoms, hygiene advice, absence procedures, as well as where they can get more information and advice. Students will also receive information and advice through their normal induction and health and safety presentation.

Want more information? – go to

  • http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/index.htm
  • The NHS Choices website will carry regular updates for the public - www.nhs.uk
  • The Department of Health website – www.dh.gov.uk
  • The Health Protection Agency – www.hpa.org.uk

     

    Swine flu update - 25/9/09

    Number of cases in England and the North West

    The NHS has this week confirmed that the number of swine flu cases nationally and in the region has increased slightly in the past week, mainly in school children. This is reflected in the GP consultation rate for flu-like symptoms; and the number of anti-virals collected.

    Advice to Parents and Carers

    The Health Protection Agency website carries some practical advice for parents and carers who may have concerns about their children returning to school/college this autumn.

    It covers advice to help reduce the spread of the swine flu virus; symptoms to look out for; and specific advice for parents. Go to - http://www.hpa.nhs.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1247816586652

    University of Cumbria activity

    The university’s Business Continuity Group continues to meet every week to monitor the situation and work on business continuity planning with senior managers for the new term. Members of the group are also linking in to national seminars and health organisations to ensure the latest advice and information is given throughout our own communication and business continuity processes.

    Communication and advice continues to be cascaded to both staff and students. Every registering student has been provided with a specific advice card which holds information on symptoms, hygiene advice, absence procedures, as well as where they can get more information and advice.

    Students will also receive information and advice through their normal induction and health and safety presentation.

    Want more information? – go to

     

    Swine Flu update latest information and advice from the NHS - 28/8/09

    Numbers of cases in England the North West

    The number of swine flu cases nationally and in the region has gone down in the past week. Nationally the number of estimated new cases in the past seven days has fallen to 11,000 from 25,000.

    Latest information on swine flu vaccination programme

    The NHS has provided an update this week on the proposed swine flu vaccination programme. Frontline health and social care workers across the UK will be offered the vaccine at the same time as the first at risk group, as they are at increased risk of infection and of transmitting that infection to vulnerable patients. This includes staff who have regular clinical contact or are directly involved in patient care.

    The Department of Health has now announced the groups of people who will first be offered vaccination for swine flu, starting in the autumn, once the vaccine has been licensed by the European Medicines Agency. This is expected to happen at the beginning of October.

    Groups have been identified who are at risk of complications if they catch the swine flu virus and in order of priority are:

    • Those aged over six months and up to 65 years who have underlying chronic health conditions
    • Pregnant women
    • Household contacts of people with illnesses that suppress their immune system
    • People aged over 65 years who have underlying chronic health conditions

    The Department of Health will also be running its usual seasonal flu vaccination programme, which helps to protect people from other types of flu virus circulating during the winter period. Obviously as things become clearer the university will look at how this will impact on university staff and students.

    Where can I find more information?

    The university’s Business Continuity Group continues to meet every week to monitor the situation and work on business continuity planning with senior managers for the new term. Members of the group are also linking in to national seminars and health organisations to ensure the latest advice and information is given throughout our own communication and business continuity processes

    Swine Flu - Update - 4/8/09

    The number of new cases of swine flu in England appears to be levelling off, with an estimated 110,000 new cases reported the week ending July 26th. This compares to an estimated 100,000 cases the week before.

    The NHS feel that the change coincided with the break up of schools/colleges and universities for the summer and the introduction of the National Pandemic Flu Service https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk/|

    However there’s still flu around and they expect a surge in the autumn. The slowdown will however provide organisations with extra time to get on with business continuity planning and ensure all the necessary measures are in place for the autumn.

    Other key facts include:

    • There is no sign that the virus is changing, and it is not becoming more severe or developing resistance to anti-virals
    • The small number of deaths has mainly been in adults and older children with underlying risk factors
    • There has been a decrease in the estimated number of cases in 5-14 year olds. Estimated cases have continued to increase in other age-groups and in the North
    • As of July 28th, there were 793 people with swine flu hospitalised in the UK
    • There have been 27 swine flu related deaths in England to date. With the four in Scotland, the UK total is 31
    • Over 150,000 people were given Tamiflu through the National Pandemic Flu Service in its first week

    University of Cumbria – business continuity planning

    The university’s Business Continuity Group is continuing to meet on a weekly basis to monitor the situation and work on business continuity planning with Deans of Faculties and Heads of Services for the new term. Members of the group are also linking in to national seminars and health organisations to ensure the latest advice and information is given throughout our own communication and business continuity processes.

    National Pandemic Flu Service

    The National Pandemic Flu Service https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk/| was launched last month. The new online service assesses patients for swine flu and, if required, gives them an authorisation number that can be used to collect antiviral medication. The system, which can also be accessed by telephone, is designed to take the strain off GPs as swine flu spreads. For the moment, it is only being used in England. 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:  http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/QA.aspx#whatisthenational|

     

    Don’t forget the signs

    If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu:

    • Stay at home and check your symptoms at https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk/
    • 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 (five for a child)

    Note: The National Pandemic Flu Service is a new online service that will assess your symptoms and, if required, provide an authorisation number that can be used to collect antiviral medication from a local collection point.

     

    Planning assumptions

    The government released a planning assumption paper - http://www.nhs.uk/news/Documents/planning%20assumptions.pdf| in July outlining possible scenarios for how the pandemic might develop in the UK. It says that if the current growth in cases is sustained, a substantial wave of cases with up to 30% of the population experiencing symptoms could peak in early September, although a smaller but earlier peak is also possible.

    Alternatively, seasonal effects might substantially slow the epidemic in July and August – perhaps to the extent of leading to a decline in weekly cases in August, before resurgence in the autumn, for example when schools/colleges reopen. If so, the overall peak of the pandemic might be delayed to October or even later.

    These forecasts and others in the report are based on a "reasonable worst case" value and should therefore not be taken as a prediction of how the pandemic will develop. Planning against the reasonable worst-case scenario will ensure, however, that plans are robust against all likely scenarios.

    Other useful links

    Health Protection Agency: http://www.hpa.org.uk/|

    NHS Direct: http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/|

    Travel advice and information: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en|

     

    The National Pandemic Flu Service - 24/7/09

    The NHS has this week launched the National Pandemic Flu Service, in order to deal with the increasing number of swine flu cases in the UK.  The new phone and online service will allow users to diagnose their symptoms and access antiviral medication. If you think you have any of the symptoms of swine flu, stay at home and call the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100 or go online at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu| for advice on treatment.

    If you would like information on swine flu, you can call 0800 1 513 513.

    The National Pandemic Flu Service:

    For information, call 0800 1 513 513

    For treatment, call 0800 1 513 100

    Deaf or hard of hearing people can contact the NPFS minicom service on 0800 1153 200 .  Calls to these numbers are free from UK landlines and most mobiles.

     

    Swine flu update - antiviral access 10/7/09

    Last week the government announced important changes to the way it is managing the swine flu pandemic in the UK. It has been confirmed that we have now moved from containment to treatment phase. This means GPs will no longer be swabbing patients, nor treating close contacts, unless these contacts are in a high risk group (mainly under 5, over 65, with long term condition e.g. asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or immunosupressed) Students/staff who feel they have symptoms should contact NHS Direct  http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/| or access the NHS choices website for advice which includes a useful 'symptom checker'. http://www.nhs.uk/AlertsEmergencies/Pages/Pandemicflualert.aspx| They may well then be directed to their GP for an assessment to be made. The advice remains that they should NOT attend GP or hospital but rather contact the GP by phone. The GP will assess the patient and based on a clinical diagnosis will decide if antivirals are necessary. If they are, the GP will issue a prescription that the patient must get a flu friend to collect and take to the nearest distribution centre. The exact details have been provided to GPs and will be passed onto the flu friend as needed. The flu friend will need to take some proof of ID with them e.g. driving licence, bank card etc and also the ID of the patient.

    The situation is changing rapidly, so please check this website area regulary and the government information websites regularly for up-to-date information http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/| or Health Protection Agency|

    Swine flu - update 19/6/09

    The World Health Organisation has increased its influenza pandemic alert level to six. This means that there is now evidence of increased and sustained human to human transmission of the swine flu virus across a number of global regions. There have now been 1320 confirmed UK cases and it is expected that this number will increase boosted by the onset of the autumn/winter when flu viruses spread more readily. Government advice is still that the public should carry on with their daily lives for as long and as far as possible within the constraints the pandemic imposes, whilst adhering to further government advice, taking sensible personal precautions and adopting good hygiene measures.

    We remind everyone again of the precautions recommended to reduce the spread of all viruses:

    • Wash your hand frequently using soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners
    • Cough and sneeze into a tissue (if one is not available use your sleeve or arm rather than your hands to cover your mouth and nose)
    • Stay home when you feel ill

    If you or one of your staff or students has recently come back from an affected country and is displaying flu-like symptoms, ask them to stay at home or in their place of residence and call their local GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647. More information - The most accurate public information on the current situation can be found here: DirectGo>www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu

    Health Protection Agency: http://www.hpa.org.uk/|

    NHS Information Line: 0800 1513513

    The university is continuing to monitor the situation and will react accordingly should an outbreak occur. Our business continuity group has met on a number of occasions monitoring the situation, identifying any risks as well as developing contingency planning for any scenario. The group will also coordinate communications and actions with staff and students and will keep you informed of any developments that would affect you. 

    Remember - The UK is well-prepared for dealing with a pandemic. We have good stocks of ant-viral drugs for treating flu and from the autumn we shall have access to a vaccine.

    Influenza outbreak in Mexico – Swine Flu 1/5/09

    The federal Health Ministry in Mexico issued a nationwide alert on 22 April 09 after learning that a number of people had died from what appears to be a new form of influenza (swine influenza).Cases have been reported in Mexico City, together with the states of Oaxaca, San Luis Potosi, Mexicali and Baja California. A small number ofcases are also now appearing in other countries around the globe linked to people who have recently spent time in this part of the world.

    The university feels that it is prudent to reiterate Health Protection Agency guidance to staff and students:

    1. If you have recently returned from Mexico or had any contact with someone who has recently returned from Mexico, be aware of the symptoms.  The symptoms are similar to those of seasonal influenza, usually a feverish illness accompanied by one or more of the following:  cough, sore throat, headache and muscle aches. For most people this illness appears to be mild.  Infection with this virus is treatable with the anti-viral drugs
    2. You should contact NHS Direct http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk (0845 4647) or telephone your GP if you begin to experience any of these symptoms.  If at all possible make your course tutor / line manager aware of the situation.
    3. If you are planning to travel to Mexico consult the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office for latest advice prior to making the trip - http://www.fco.gov.uk/en

    You do not need to worry if you have flu-like symptoms and have not recently been to the affected areas.  The university has an emergency plan in place if there is any such outbreak.

    More information can be found on the Health Protection Agency| website.