North West swine flu case

31 May 2009

Two new cases of swine flu in the North West announced today are a man and woman from the Liverpool area. Both had been in close contact with a previously announced case. Both are being treated with antivirals and are recovering well at home.

Close contacts of both patients including family contacts are being treated with antivirals as a precautionary measure.

Casual contacts of the confirmed cases are being given information on flu and advised to contact their GPs or NHS Direct if they should develop symptoms. The NHS Direct number is 0845-4647.

Notes to editors

Influenza or 'flu' is a respiratory illness caused by infection with an influenza virus. Symptoms frequently 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 rare occasions death.

The localised cases of swine found in the UK have so far been mild and we have not seen evidence of widespread community transmission. Our strategy to slow the spread with anti-virals appears to have been effective in reducing symptoms and preventing further spread of infection.

Anyone who is being investigated as a possible case of swine flu (which means they meet the epidemiological criteria and have symptoms) or has been confirmed with the infection will be offered antivirals and will be asked to stay at home and limit their contact with other people.

Where antivirals are prescribed, it is important that the specified course of treatment is followed and completed, even though in some cases this medication may cause nausea.

It is important for parents and schools to be vigilant and take prompt action if children who have travelled abroad during the half term break start showing flu-like symptoms.

If travellers become ill while on holiday, on the flight home, or on their return:

Travellers should continue to be aware of the risk of swine flu and anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms during a stay in a country affected by swine flu should contact a health professional and inform them of their symptoms.
Anyone who becomes ill on their flight home should alert cabin crew to their symptoms. There are well established procedures in place for dealing with passengers who become unwell on flights and the airline will advise port health officials on the ground that a passenger requires a health assessment and may need treatment.
Travellers returning from a country affected by swine flu who become unwell with flu-like symptoms within seven days of their return should stay at home and contact their GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.
To access the Department of Health Swine Flu Information line when abroad, call 00 44 207 928 1010.

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

Paper tissues should be used to cover the nose and mouth and these should be disposed of in a bin immediately after use. It's important to wash the hands again after disposing of used tissues.

Further information on swine flu is available on the Health Protection Agency's website at www.hpa.org.uk/swineflu

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

Last reviewed: 31 May 2009