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.