Update on confirmed swine flu cases: 04 May 2009

4 May 2009

Confirmed UK Cases as at 04 May 2009: 27

Cases currently under laboratory investigation as at 17:00 03 May 2009: 331
* Cases currently under laboratory investigation change on a daily basis on account of some of those under assessment being discounted and new ones being introduced. The figure quoted above is correct at the time stated.

Testing of the swine flu virus is carried out by the Health Protection Agency's laboratories.

Two cases are adults, from London and the West Midlands. Both of these cases had recently returned from Mexico.

Two cases are siblings of school age in London, who are close contacts of a previously confirmed case in a returned traveller to the US.

Five further cases are of school age from London. These five all attend one school. As a precautionary measure, acting under advice from local health protection experts, the school will remain closed following the bank holiday weekend, initially for seven consecutive days. 

All pupils at the school are being offered antivirals as a precautionary measure and advised to monitor their health for flu-like symptoms. There is no need for these individuals to isolate themselves from the community unless they show symptoms.

The five cases attend the same school as a pupil who had recently returned from the US and has already been confirmed with swine flu.  During investigations into this case, as an extra precaution, pupils in the same year who were off school because they were feeling unwell - irrespective of symptoms - at the end of last week, were followed up by local health protection experts and assessed for flu-like symptoms. These investigations resulted in five pupils being confirmed with swine flu.

Those who are still unwell are receiving antiviral treatment and are recovering at home. The Health Protection Agency is working to ensure that any close contacts of these cases are offered antivirals as a precautionary measure.

Parents with children at the school are today being notified of the current situation and local health protection experts are working alongside the school to provide antivirals as a precautionary measure.

Advice remains that individuals returning from affected areas who become unwell within seven days of their return, or contacts of a confirmed or probable case of swine flu who are exhibiting symptoms should stay at home and contact their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Individuals will be assessed and, if necessary, testing and treatment will be provided.

General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including swine flu. 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
  

Ends

Further information on swine flu is available on the Health Protection Agency's website at

www.hpa.org.uk

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

Copies of a 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.

The Health Protection Agency is providing expert advice and support to the UK government, NHS and other organisations. 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.
• Advice has been issued for schools. 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.

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.

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: 2 June 2010