Reassurance for nursery parents

There is no need for any public health action to be taken at the nursery and there is no reason why children should not continue to attend.

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 vast majority of swine flu cases in the UK to date have had mild illness and we have not seen evidence of widespread community transmission. Our strategy of slowing the spread with anti-virals appears to be effective.

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 for the specified course of treatment to be followed and completed.  

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