- Number of cases under investigation in NI - 8
- Number of negative cases to date in NI - 18
- 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.
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 and are well prepared. We will continue to make preparations to help us respond in the event of a pandemic. This morning I visited Belfast International Airport as staff from the Public Health Agency, were distributing travel advice leaflets to passengers arriving in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland swine flu helpline is up and running and has already received several hundred calls. The public can be assured that we will continue to inform them with the best advice to deal with any emerging situation.”
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.
“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 GP will then contact the Public Health Agency to ensure that the patient gets the appropriate antiviral treatment promptly.
“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. The important message is Catch it, Bin It, Kill it. "
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.
Public information campaign
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. The leaflet and other useful links are available below:
- Swine flu information leaflet
- nidirect
- DHSSPS website
- TV ad - Catch it, Bin it, Kill
- Frequently asked questions
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Media enquiries should be directed to the DHSSPS press office on 028 9052 0579, 028 90520636, 02890520575, 02890520074 or out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
