Health and Safety Update (May 2009)
Swine Flu Update
What is Swine Flu and how is it different from ordinary
flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease and has some elements of a
virus found in pigs. There is no evidence of this disease
circulating in pigs in the UK and scientists are investigating its
origins.
Swine flu has been confirmed in a number of countries and it is
spreading from human to human, which could lead to what is referred
to as a pandemic flu outbreak.
Pandemic flu is different from ordinary flu because it's a new
flu virus that appears in humans and spreads very quickly from
person to person worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) is
closely monitoring cases of swine flu globally to see whether this
virus develops into a pandemic.
Because it's a new virus, it is unlikely that anyone will have
immunity to it and everyone could be at risk of catching it. This
includes healthy adults as well as older people, young children and
those with existing medical conditions.
How does Swine Flu spread?
Flu viruses are spread through the droplets that come out of
your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
When you cough or sneeze without covering your nose and mouth
with a tissue, those droplets can spread and others will be at risk
of inhaling them.
If you cough or sneeze into your hand, the droplets and the
viruses in them are then easily spread from your hand to any hard
surfaces that you touch. Viruses can live on those surfaces for
some time. Everyday items such as door handles, computer keyboards,
mobile and ordinary phones and the TV remote control are all common
surfaces where flu viruses can be found.
If other people touch these surfaces the viruses can enter their
systems and they can become infected.
All cold and flu viruses, including swine flu, are transferred
from person to person through these 2 methods.
What can I do
to protect myself and others against
flu?
The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to follow good
hygiene practices. These will help to slow the spread of the virus
and will be the single most effective thing you can do to protect
yourself and others from infection.
When you cough or sneeze it is especially important to follow
the rules of good flu hygiene-
- Always carry tissues
- Use clean tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough
or sneeze
- Bin the tissues after one use.
- Wash your hands with soap and hot water or a sanitiser gel
often.
Do I need a face mask?
You may have seen face masks being given out to the public in
other countries on the news. However, the available scientific
evidence shows that these basic face masks don't protect people
from becoming infected. The best way to protect yourself and stop
the spread of flu viruses is by using and disposing of tissues and
washing your hands.
Employers should:
- Advise staff to stay at home if they are sick with flu-like
symptoms.
- Send home any employees who are displaying flu-like
signs/symptoms
Employers should carry out a risk assessment and, amongst other
things, gauge:
- If workers are likely to encounter members of the public who
are displaying symptoms, for example, in a healthcare setting it is
highly likely that contact with the public (patients) will include
persons who have symptoms of influenza
- Where contact with people displaying symptoms is likely,
whether any measures can be taken to minimise contact
- The duration and frequency of contact with members of the
public.
Experts have warned that in the event of a swine flu pandemic,
businesses can expect up to a quarter of employees to be absent
from work. Fears have been raised about the potential effect
of a pandemic on businesses and the economy.
Certainly there are fears among employers about the potential
impact. The annual cost of absence is £13bn and rising and
obviously with a recession, business can ill afford further
interruption.
The global nature of doing business means that companies and
their staff may be concerned about cases of human swine flu being
confirmed abroad in countries that they do business with. With
developments moving so rapidly, firms should stay up-to-date with
the latest medical and travel advice through the Department of
Health and Foreign and Commonwealth Office. That advice should be
communicated to staff regularly and built into any contingency
plans. People returning from a visit to an affected area are
advised to monitor their health closely for seven days. If during
this period they develop a feverish illness accompanied by one or
more of a cough, sore throat, headache or muscle aches, they should
stay at home and contact their GP by phone or seek advice from NHS
Direct (0845 4647).
There is no reason for employers to take panic measures when
simple good hygiene and encouraging staff who are sick to stay at
home is the best immediate response. Rather than stockpiling
supplies of latex gloves and disposable facemasks, employers should
be concentrating on putting sensible plans in place.
Contact our 24/7 advice line for more information.