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Bird
Flu
Information - NHS Public
health advice for those going to or returning from Bird flu-affected areas Poster ------------------------------------- Overview
of the situation / Useful websites
A pandemic is the worldwide
spread of a disease with outbreaks or epidemics occurring in many countries
and most regions of the world. An influenza (flu) pandemic
occurs when a new virus emerges which is markedly different from recently
circulating strains. It can infect people and spread readily; causing illness
in a high proportion of those infected as they have little or no immunity to
it. The bird flu virus currently
affecting poultry and some people in Asia and other areas is the highly
pathogenic H5N1 strain of influenza. Experts are concerned that
the H5N1 virus could either: The University, in
conjunction with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are putting into place a
contingency plan to reduce the impact of the flu pandemic. Past flu pandemics have
taught us that a new flu pandemic may not necessarily follow the pattern of
seasonal flu: it could strike at any time of the year. Many important features of a
new flu pandemic virus and how it will spread are uncertain. Plans are made
using “working estimates” which are derived from theoretical modelling. The
time of year of the outbreak, age groups affected and speed of spread of the
virus will all influence the overall impact of the pandemic. Past experience suggests that
a new pandemic flu virus will emerge from China or the Far East. However, it
could emerge from anywhere, including the UK. If it does emerge in the Far
East, it is thought that the pandemic will spread to the UK within a month of
the first outbreak. After it is has reached our shores, it will probably take
2 – 3 weeks to spread across the UK This wave of influenza could last 3-5
months with a peak of cases around week 6. Subsequent waves are likely to
occur weeks or months later. It is estimated that 25% of the population may
become unwell and that 50,000 people may die. Annually in the UK,
approximately 12,000 people die from ‘ordinary’ seasonal flu. These are
mainly elderly or vulnerable members of the population. Pandemic flu can
seriously affect anyone of any age. Antiviral drugs may be used
in the absence of, or in adjunct to, a vaccine. The flu virus is spread by
respiratory droplet infection. Flu viruses are easily passed from person to
person when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes, which expels the
virus into the air. Some of these can linger in the air for some time. The
virus may also be spread from hand to face contact. For example, if someone
touches a contaminated surface and then inadvertently inhales the virus from
their hand when it is in close proximity to their face. Adults are thought to be
infectious from just before the symptoms develop until approximately 4 – 5
days after the onset of symptoms. Children may be infectious for longer,
typically up to seven days after the onset of symptoms. Schools and other educational
establishments will probably experience a higher rate of infection than the
general population. As part of the plan, the Department of Health and NHS
Direct will provide national materials and clinical management guidelines. Useful
websites / Sources of guidance
http://www.dh.gov.uk/pandemicflu Reduce
the risk of catching or spreading flu:
·
Cover
nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing ·
Dispose
of tissues promptly (bag or bin them) ·
Avoid
non-essential travel and large crowds where possible ·
Maintain
good basic hygiene – washing hands frequently with soap and water,
particularly after going out. ·
Cleaning
hard surfaces such as kitchen worktops and door handles frequently with
normal cleaning products. ·
Making
sure that your children also follow this advice. What
to do if you catch Flu:
·
Stay
at home and rest ·
Drink
plenty of fluids ·
Paracetamol
eases pain and fever. Regular full doses (2 tablets four times a day for
adults. Max 8/day) are better than ‘now and then’. ·
Antiseptic
lozenges, sprays and gargles may also bring some relief if you have a sore
throat ·
If
you are taking any other medication, check to see if it is OK to take it with
ibuprofen ·
Ibuprofen
should not be taken if you are pregnant, breast feeding, have had previous peptic
ulceration or bleeding or have coagulation problems ·
If
you have liver, kidney or heart problems check with your doctor to see if it
is OK to take ibuprofen ·
If
you have any allergic disorders such as asthma, ibuprofen can make them worse ·
Return
to see Nurse or GP if condition deteriorates or does not begin to improve in
2-3 days Children under the age of 16
years must not be given aspirin or ready made flu remedies containing
aspirin. Advice
to Travellers
WHO does not at present
recommend any restrictions on travel to any country currently experiencing
outbreaks of bird flu in poultry flocks, including countries which have also
reported cases in humans. If you are visiting countries
with reported outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu among poultry, you should observe
the following measures: ·
do
not visit bird or poultry farms or live animal markets ·
avoid
close contact with live or dead poultry ·
do
not eat raw or poorly-cooked poultry or poultry products, including blood ·
wash
your hands frequently with soap and water. Public health advice for
those going to or returning from bird flu affected areas If you have been in contact
with live or dead poultry in an affected country be aware of the symptoms of
bird flu in humans. They are similar to ordinary flu symptoms and can appear
suddenly. They may include: ·
a
fever (temperature of 38°C or more) ·
cough ·
shortness
of breath ·
headache ·
sore
throat ·
sore
eyes ·
muscle
aches If you have these symptoms
whilst abroad and have been in close contact with live or dead poultry you
should seek medical advice locally. If you develop the above
symptoms within seven days of leaving an affected country and you had close
contact with live or dead poultry, it is very important that you seek
immediate medical attention. Either telephone your doctor,
or ring NHS Direct on 0845 4647 |
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