Update on confirmed swine flu cases

16 June 2009

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

*New testing arrangements mean that the regional breakdown of figures reflects the regional laboratory where samples are tested which may not always be in the region where the patient lives (as a result there may be some small variations in regional figures as cases are reassigned to their home regions).

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. 

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.

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

• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of virus from your hands to face or to other people.
• Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Making sure your children follow this advice.

Ends

Notes to editors

A full transcript of the WHO pandemic influenza Phase 6 announcement can be found here http://www.who.int/en/

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

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

The Health Protection Agency is providing expert advice and support to the UK government, NHS and other organisations.

To help us identify cases of swine flu in the community, the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections will be continuing its regular surveillance work throughout the summer, at the same pace that is applied during the normal "flu season" (October to May).

In England this surveillance work includes the collection of data from 3,300 GP surgeries across the country, and the testing of patient samples from over 100 surgeries. Information on flu activity is also provided by a network of boarding schools and NHS Direct.

To further enhance our ability to detect cases of swine flu, the HPA is issuing regular guidance to GPs on the testing of possible cases. Plans to increase the number of surgeries participating in surveillance schemes, and to facilitate more widespread testing in communities where cases of swine flu have been identified, are currently being implemented.

For media enquiries only please contact the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections press office on 

020 8327 7080 
020 8327 6647
020 8327 7098
020 8327 7097
020 8327 6690

Last reviewed: 16 June 2009