Emergencies

Seasonal 'Flu

Colds and flu affect 15 million of us every year and in most cases, you do not need to go to see your doctor. All you can do is buy medicines from the chemist that will make the symptoms more bearable, while your body fights the virus. 'Flu can be serious for some people though, so if you are in one of the vulnerable groups, you should get vaccinated before winter sets in.

Pandemic 'Flu

What is it?

Firstly, it must be stated that pandemic influenza is a very rare occurrence and would be declared by the World Health Organisation should it occur.  However, the most significant signs and symptoms of pandemic influenza are the same as for ordinary flu but they will probably be more sever and cause more serious complications:

The 'flu virus (false colour)

• Fever
• Cough or shortage of breath
• Sudden onset of illness

Other symptoms are:

• Headache
• Malaise
• Chills and aching muscles
• Loss of appetite
• Sore throat, runny nose and sneezing

The important features of a pandemic influenza outbreak are:

• It is unpredictable
• It may occur at any time of the year
• Likely to start outside the UK and gradually spread
• People of all ages may be at risk, not just the groups that you think are most likely at risk, e.g. the elderly or young
• Once in the UK, it will spread quickly and widely because most people will have little or no immunity to the new virus and so will be susceptible to infection.
• Some 40% of the population could be affected.

Is it a real threat, or just hype?

It is one of the most serious potential threats in the UK at the moment and presents a real and daunting challenge to the social well being of the country and a serious risk to the health of the population.

Is there anything I can do to reduce the risk to myself and my family, should an outbreak occur?

Everyone can reduce the risk of catching or spreading the influenza virus through good hygiene:

• Covering their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
• Avoid touching faces or face to face contact as far as possible
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully – bag and bin them
• Avoid non essential travel and crowded places whenever possible
• Washing hands frequently with soap and water
• Clean hard surfaces (e.g. kitchen worktops, telephones, light switches, door handles) frequently using a disinfectant agent or antiseptic wipes 
• Avoid sharing drinking glasses or eating utensils
• Make sure children and others in the family share this advice
• Always wash your hands before you leave work and as soon as you arrive home
• Avoid touching your mouth or nose with your hands.

Remember the motto – “Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases”.

How would emergency services react in the event of an outbreak?

Operational response plans have been produced by sections of the “Health Community”, for example, Primary Care Trusts and Hospital Acute Trusts to support the health and welfare of the communities they serve.

All agencies and organisations who are members of the Cleveland Local Resilience Forum (LRF), which includes the emergency services, local authorities and others, have produced their own plans so they know how to react to a pandemic influenza outbreak.

A strategic plan has been prepared by the Emergency Planning Unit on behalf of the Cleveland LRF that formalises and provides a structure for co-ordination of the response by all agencies to pandemic influenza across the Cleveland area.