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Community safety
Emergencies
Pandemic flu : Swine influenza (H1N1)
The spread of swine flu (H1N1) from Mexico has heightened concern in Great Britain regarding the risk of an influenza pandemic developing in the near future. There is a heightened concern around the world regarding the risk of an influenza pandemic developing in the near future. This site provides links to local, National and International plans, policies and documents to improve preparedness for pandemic influenza.
Adur District Council in common with other Sussex Local Authorities is undertaking a process of contingency planning and preparedness ahead of possible increases in flu related illnesses locally. The Council is working with local Primary Care Trusts (PCT) and West Sussex NHS to ensure that residents of Adur have access to the best possible information and guidance.
Useful advice
It is always good practice to follow respiratory and hand hygiene such as:
- Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
- Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
- Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.
- Cleaning hard surfaces (eg door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
- Making sure your children follow this advice.
See also :
Useful websites
The primary responsible for health care rests with the NHS and all enquiries related to health issues should be made through that service for further information please go to the following external websites :
- The Department of Health (www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm)
- Directgov (www.direct.gov.uk) see also www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu (www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/DG_177831)
- NHS websites :
- NHS Direct (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk)
- NHS in England (www.nhs.uk)
- West
Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) (www.westsussexpct.nhs.uk)
(formed following the merger of Adur, Arun & Worthing Primary Care Trust, Western Sussex Primary Care, Trust Horsham & Chanctonbury Primary Care Trust, Crawley Primary Care Trust and Mid-Sussex Primary Care Trust ) - South
East Coast Strategic Health Authority (/www.southeastcoast.nhs.uk)
(formed following the merger of Kent and Medway Strategic Health Authority with Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority)
- Health Protection
Agency (HPA) website (www.hpa.org.uk) - including :
- Avian influenza (www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1160495617087?p=1160495617087)
- Swine influenza (www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1240732817665?p=1240732817665)
- A to Z of infections (www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1153846673347?p=1153846673347)
- Commonly asked questions and answers (www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1240812255916?p=1240812233855)
- Symptoms to look out for (www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1240732817824?p=1240812233855)
- How you can protect yourself and your family against infection (www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1240812233855?p=1240812233855)
- Vaccine information statements information in different languages : www.immunize.org/vis (Note : this is an American site but the information on it may assist Adur residents for whom English is not their first language).
- Cabinet Office (www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk)
Useful documents on our website :
- NHS Flu Pandemic document - March 2005 (.PDF 337kb)
- Health Protect Agency (HPA) Pandemic Flu document - Feb 2005 (.PDF 161kb)
- Adur DC flu presentation (.PDF 645kb)
