Swine Flu Virus

As you will know, human cases of swine flu have been reported in Mexico and other parts of the world, including the UK. The World Health Authority has raised the level of alert to level 5 but there have been very few confirmed cases in the UK. Schools will have received an email from DCSF on 29 April and we strongly advise schools to follow the guidance they have been given.

Schools should

	review their existing flu plans and arrangements for continuing learning in the event of schools being closed for an extended period - these plans should be based on the DSCF guidance available on www.teachernet.gov.uk/humanflupandemic.
	use/adapt the DCSF checklist
	promote infection control guidance (poster linked)
	refer to www.norfolk.nhs.uk which gives the latest information and links through to Department of Health, Health Protection Agency, World Health Organisation and Choices websites where everyone can access more detailed information. There is also a national NHS recorded swine flu information line available on 0800 1 513 513.

For any other out of hours advice please use the critical incident number.

As a County we are well prepared and our emergency plans - led by NHS Norfolk - are being kept under constant review and will be activated when necessary. Children's Services will provide regular updates to schools via the schools website, ecourier and email to Headteachers.

The NHS advise that we should all take simple steps to help ourselves and those we work with prevent catching colds and flu - based on good respiratory and hand hygiene. These are:

	always use a tissue to catch your sneezes
	throw away used tissues where germs can linger
	regularly wash your hands.

Current NHS advice on wearing facemasks is that there is no conclusive evidence that they protect healthy people in their day-to-day lives - and if used incorrectly, masks may even expose people to infection.

If you are concerned because you or anyone else is developing flu like symptoms and has been to Mexico or has been in contact with someone who has been to Mexico, the advice from the NHS is don't go to your GP or accident and emergency centre. Instead, stay at home, call your GP or contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or via the web at www.nhs.uk.

The good news from Mexico and other affected areas is that this strain of flu is currently sensitive to antiviral treatment like Tamiflu. To date, most people who have got it seem to have had a mild illness and then recovered. In Britain there are a range of measures in place, including enough antivirals to treat people if they become ill in the event of a pandemic.