Update on confirmed swine flu cases in England

1 May 2009

Confirmed UK Cases at 14:00 1 May 2009: 9
Cases currently under laboratory investigation at 17:00 30 April 2009: 642
Testing of the swine flu virus was carried out by the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections Virus Reference Department.

The new case is an adult from the North West.
The Health Protection Agency is working to ensure that any close contacts of patients who test positive for swine influenza are offered antivirals as a precautionary measure. At this stage close contacts who should be offered antivirals as a precautionary measure are those individuals who have been exposed to a probable or confirmed case within the previous seven days for longer than one hour and within a distance of one metre or less.
All cases up to now have been associated with travel to Mexico. The Health Protection Agency's advice remains that individuals returning from affected areas who become unwell within seven days of their return should stay at home and contact their GP by phone or ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Individuals will be assessed and, if necessary, testing and treatment will be provided.
The Health Protection Agency has issued advice today for schools who have strongly suspected or confirmed cases of swine flu.

Measures including deciding to close temporarily or offer antivirals as a precautionary measure are only advised when a case is strongly suspected or confirmed within a school community. These decisions are a matter for local determination on a case by case basis by schools, working with the Health Protection Agency, NHS Primary Care Trusts and local authorities.

We are aware that some schools have taken advice and considered instituting precautionary measures where cases are still under laboratory investigation but have yet to be confirmed.

The full advice to schools is available on the Agency's website at www.hpa.org.uk.

The Health Protection Agency is continuing to monitor events and work closely alongside the UK government, to review the ongoing events and assess any threat they pose to UK public health. This includes:

• Enhancing the Agency's presence at airports in England to provide all passengers arriving from Mexico with information and advice on swine flu.
• A leaflet produced by the Health Protection Agency, the Department of Health and the UK Borders Agency is being made available at all ports of entry into the UK providing passengers arriving in the UK with information on swine flu. 
• Specialist liaison to the UK Embassy in Mexico to aid the UK effort to tackle swine flu.
• In association with the College of General Practitioners (RCGP), the HPA has produced standard practical advice for healthcare professionals investigating individuals with possible swine influenza infection, including contact details of local health protection units.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its pandemic alert level to Phase 5. 'This is characterised by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalise the organisation, communication and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short'. The Agency is well prepared to meet the requirements of phase 5.

Anyone returning from affected areas who becomes unwell with flu-like symptoms within seven days of their return should stay at home and contact their GP by phone or ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Individuals will be assessed and, if necessary, testing and treatment will be provided. The Health Protection Agency will identify any close contacts as part of the assessment, and they will be given advice and, if necessary, antiviral drugs.

General infection control practices and good respiratory and hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including human swine influenza. This includes:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, preferably with a tissue; 
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully;
• Maintaining good basic hygiene - 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 children follow this advice.

Today the Department of Health has set up a swine flu information line for the public on 0800 1 513 513.
Ends

Further information on swine flu is available on the Health Protection Agency's website at www.hpa.org.uk
Copies of the leaflet being distributed at all ports of entry into the UK providing passengers arriving in the UK with information on swine flu are available at  http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1240986139568

For further information on this statement please contact the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections press office on:
Head of Press Office  020 8327 6647
Alexandra Baker  020 8327 7098
Louise Brown 020 8327 7080
Kate Swan  020 8327 7097

Last reviewed: 3 June 2010