Two further cases of Swine Flu confirmed in Cambridgeshire
Two new patients from Cambridgeshire have tested positive for H1N1 Swine flu. There are now three confirmed cases in Cambridgeshire.
Dr Liz Robin, Director of Public Health at NHS Cambridgeshire, said:
“I can confirm that two further unrelated cases in Cambridgeshire have tested positive for Swine Flu. Both patients showed mild symptoms and received anti-viral drugs, where appropriate. They are both recovering at home.”
“The Health Protection Agency and NHS Cambridgeshire have investigated all three
cases. In two of the cases no links have been found to existing cases nor have they
travelled to countries affected by swine flu. This means that they are likely to be ‘sporadic’ cases of transmission of the infection in the community. In the third case, contacts are still being investigated.
“This comes as no surprise and some transmission in the community has been expected. This does not represent widespread incidence in the community or sustained transmission that would lead to a change in the way we respond to swine flu. In most cases the swine flu infection has been mild and the advice to the public and health care staff remains unchanged.
“There are simple steps that everyone can take to protect themselves based on good respiratory and hand hygiene. The advice is as follows:
• covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
• disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
• maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people
• cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product
• making sure your children follow this advice.
“If people are concerned because they are developing influenza like symptoms or have been to Mexico the US and have symptoms, stay at home, call your GP or contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or via the web at www.nhs.uk.”
“NHS Cambridgeshire has robust plans in place to tackle Swine flu and is closely monitoring the situation with the Health Protection Agency and the Strategic Health Authority.”
What is Swine flu?
Swine flu is a form of the influenza virus commonly found in pigs, but can infect humans. Swine flu has been in existence for a number of years, but this appears to be a new subtype.
What is a sporadic case?
The epidemiological definition of sporadic is a disease that occurs only occasionally or in a few isolated places.
Is there treatment available?
Although there is no vaccine there are anti-viral treatments available to treat influenza. They reduce the length of symptoms and usually their severity.
Testing has shown that the human swine influenza H1N1 can be treated with the antivirals oseltamavir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®).
It is unknown whether the seasonal vaccines can provide any cross protection to ongoing swine influenza virus infection in the United States and Mexico.
Are there sufficient stockpiles of treatments?
Worst case scenario plans indicate that, in the event of a pandemic flu outbreak in the UK, up to 50% of the population could become ill. The NHS has stockpiled sufficient anti-viral treatment to be able to treat this number.
Who is at risk?
Primarily people who have recently travelled back from an affected area or who have come into contact with someone who has been diagnosed with Swine flu and is experiencing flu-like symptoms.
Anyone who has visited one of the countries or areas where human cases of influenza have been identified should monitor their health closely for seven days after the visit to the affected area.
If during this period they develop a feverish illness accompanied by one or more of cough, sore throat, headache and muscle aches, they should stay at home to limit contact with others and contact their GP by phone or seek advice from NHS Direct (0845 4647).
Why is it affecting humans?
Infection with swine influenza virus has been detected occasionally in humans since the 1950s and human disease is usually clinically similar to disease caused by infections with human influenza viruses. Cases of swine influenza in humans usually occur after a history of exposure to pigs, i.e. direct or close contact with infected pigs. Person-to-person transmission, as suspected in the cases currently under investigation in the US and Mexico, has been previously reported but appears to be rare.
Can people catch Swine flu from eating pork?
No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the Swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.
How can I protect myself from getting swine influenza from infected people?
In the past, human infection with swine influenza was generally mild but is known to have caused severe illness such as pneumonia. For the current outbreaks in the United States and Mexico however, the clinical pictures have been different. Only a few cases in Mexico and the United States have reportedly had the severe form of the disease.
What are the symptoms?
If you have recently visited one of the countries or areas where human cases of influenza have been identified, it is important for you to monitor your health closely for seven days after your visit to the affected area. If you have not visited these areas, but have similar symptoms, you should also monitor your health.
The symptoms of Swine influenza in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza infection and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat. Some people with Swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.
If you develop these symptoms you should stay at home and contact your GP by phone or seek advice from NHS Direct (0845 4647). Depending on your symptoms you may be advised that further investigations may be necessary.
There is no need for you to isolate yourself from other people as long as you remain well.
What should I do if I think I have swine influenza?
If you have visited an area that has been affected or think you may have contracted Swine flu is you should follow these steps:
1. Visit the NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk) for information, FAQs and an online symptom checker
2. Contact the Swine Flu information line (0800 1 531 531) to hear pre-recorded information
3. Call NHS Direct on 0845 4647. If you have flu-like symptoms and have internet access, you will be asked to try to the online flu symptom checker first. If necessary you will be able to request a call back from an advisor. Otherwise you will be asked to hold to speak to someone who can help
4. Stay at home and phone their GP.
If you feel unwell, have high fever, cough and/or sore throat:
• stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds as much as possible
• rest and take plenty of fluids.
If you need medical attention:
• contact your GP or NHS Direct (0845 4647) and report your symptoms. Explain why you think you have swine influenza (for example, if you have recently travelled to a country where there is a swine influenza outbreak in humans). Follow the advice given to you for care
• if it is not possible to contact your healthcare provider in advance, communicate your suspicion of having swine influenza immediately upon arrival at the healthcare facility.
Is there any general advice?
General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza. This includes:
• covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
• disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
• maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people
• cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product
• making sure your children follow this advice.
Where can I go to find out more?
Health Protection Agency (HPA) www.hpa.org.uk/swineflu
World Health Organisation (WHO) http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
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