H1N1 New Flu Virus Update

2 May 2009

The second case of the new H1N1 flu virus infection on Merseyside that was announced today is the husband of the female patient who was yesterday confirmed to have had the infection. Both people had recently visited Mexico together. Both are being treated at home and are described as being quite well.

Family members and other close contacts of the couple were routinely treated with antiviral medication as a precautionary measure and they continue to be monitored.

Note to editors

Influenza or "flu" is a respiratory illness caused by infection with an influenza virus. Symptoms include headache, fever, cough, sore throat, aching muscles and joints. There is a wide spectrum of severity of illness ranging from minor symptoms through to pneumonia and on very rare occasions, people die from flu.

Apart from those cases in Mexico, people with swine flu have generally experienced mild illness.

Travellers returning from Mexico or other countries where there have been outbreaks of swine flu do not need to take any special precautions. However, they should monitor their health for seven days after returning and if they experience symptoms, they should phone the family doctor or NHS Direct for advice.

The NHS Direct number is 0845-4647.

There are simple but crucial measures that people can take to protect themselves from the flu, including regular and thorough hand-washing. It's essential to cover the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and to turn away from other people in the vicinity.

Paper tissues should preferably be used to cover the mouth and nose and these should be disposed of in a bin immediately afterwards. It's important to wash hands thoroughly as soon as possible after sneezing and handling a tissue.

Regular and thorough hand-washing is a key infection control measure that people can take. As stated, this is especially important after coughing or sneezing or after contact (such as shaking hands) with someone who appears to have cold or flu-like symptoms. It is also essential to wash hands after visiting the toilet, before and after handling or preparing food and before eating.

Further information is available on the following web sites:

www.nhs.uk
www.hpa.org.uk
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Press release issued by Hugh Lamont, HPA North West. Tel. 0151-482-5728 or mobile 07764-906508.

Last reviewed: 2 May 2009