From:  Dr Richard Harling, Director of Public Health

Date: Wednesday 29th July 2009

Briefing number: 43

PLEASE NOTE: Swine flu briefings will now be sent out twice a week until further notice

• The National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) launched last week. Patients with flu symptoms can now call 0800 1 513 100 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu to access antivirals.
• If they are prescribed antivirals, they will be given an Authorisation Number and asked to send a flu friend to an Antiviral Collection Point to collect the medication.
• We currently have three ACPs open in Worcester, Kidderminster and Redditch. We will be opening a 4^th in Pershore from Monday, followed by further ACPs as required.
• The pressure on GPs does seem to have eased a little since the NPFS went live. However, if the volume of calls rises they may have to suspend some of their routine clinics. We need to try and put this off as long as possible by encouraging people to use services sensibly.
• Otherwise healthy people who catch flu do not normally need to see their GP. Where symptoms are mild they can manage themselves at home with rest, plenty of fluids and paracetamol for aches and pains. Alternatively they can call the NPFS if they feel particularly unwell.
• People who may be at risk from flu include children under five, people with serious immune problems – either due to disease or treatment pregnant women and people with underlying health problems like lung disease, heart disease or diabetes. If they develop symptoms they should call the NPFS promptly for assessment. Parents of children under one, pregnant women and people with serious immune problems should call their GP directly.

Summary of cases and response

·        National planning assumptions are that 30% of the population will be affected in a first wave this autumn. However the course of the pandemic remains unpredictable.

·        The illness remains mild in the majority of people. National planning assumptions are for an overall hospitalisation rate of 2% and an overall mortality rate of 0.1-0.35% - note that these figures will be much lower in healthy individuals.

·        We expect the first batches of vaccines to arrive in August, with around 60 million doses available by the end of the year - and more following after that.

·        Because of the pressure on NHS Worcestershire from dealing with swine flu cases, we are increasingly deploying staff in support of the flu response and it is inevitable that aspects of normal business will need to be suspended.

·        Staff who are asymptomatic (not displaying symptoms), including those who have been in contact with cases of swine flu, can continue to work as normal. However, they should stay off work and contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 100 or www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu  if they develop symptoms themselves.

·        Swine Flu information can now be downloaded in a range of languages and formats from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/Otherlanguages.aspx  

Further information

·        National Pandemic Flu Service 0800 1 513 100 or www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu

·        Swine Flu Information Line: 0800 1513513

·        Public information leaflets/ posters: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_098685

·         NHS Worcestershire: www.worcestershire.nhs.uk