Swine Influenza daily press update
Thursday, 30 April 20091. WHO Alert raised to Phase 5 – this means WHO consider a global pandemic to be imminent.
Number of cases under investigation in NI 6
Number of negative cases to date in NI 14
Number of confirmed cases in NI 0
- Anyone who has travelled to Mexico or other affected areas within the last week and develops flu-like illness should stay at home to limit contact with others and seek medical advice from a GP.
- The Northern Ireland helpline is 0800 0514 142. This freephone helpline is for those who have recently returned from Mexico and another affected area and are worried and need more information.
- The UK-wide flu information line on 0800 1 513 513 provides regularly updated advice on swine flu. This is a freephone number.
2. Statement from the Minister for Health, Michael McGimpsey:
“Our main message to the public is not to be alarmed about recent developments – but to be prepared for a potential pandemic. The NI helpline is now available for the general public to ring on 0800 0514 142 if they have been to an affected country like Mexico and have flu-like symptoms and are worried and need more information.
“We have been planning for a situation like this for some years. In fact, the UK is recognised as among the best prepared for any potential pandemic. The preparations we have in place and are continuing to make, will help us respond well in the event of a pandemic.”
3. Statement from the acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Elizabeth Mitchell:
“The WHO decision to raise the pandemic alert to five means that they consider a global pandemic to be imminent, and everyone must ramp up their pandemic preparations. The public should not to be alarmed and should continue to go about their normal business but to be prepared for a potential pandemic. Evidence to date suggests that, other than in Mexico, the majority of cases have had a relatively mild flu-like illness which responds well to treatment with antivirals. The public can take simple but effective measures to protect themselves, including frequent hand-washing and using a tissue to cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze."
4. Public Health Advice
- You can protect yourself and your family by ensuring you wash your hands regularly and by using tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze.
- Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You can not get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products are safe.
- There’s a simple way to remember this:
CATCH IT, BIN IT, KILL IT.
5. Public information campaign
Swine flu information leaflet
Households across the UK will soon be receiving a Swine Flu Information Leaflet. This leaflet includes information about what swine flu is and how it could spread, what UK governments have done to prepare for a wider outbreak of flu, how you can protect yourself against flu and what to do if you have flu symptoms. To read the leaflet and for other useful links please click on:
The current TV ad - Catch it, Bin it, Kill it is also available at:
For frequently asked questions, please see nidirect
Notes to editors:
1. Media enquiries should be directed to the DHSSPS press office on 028 9052 0579, 028 9052 0636, 028 9052 0575, 028 9052 0074 or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
2. The Minister and others will be available for interview/questions at a press conference at 3.30pm at Stormont Castle.
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