Stay home, stay off work, call the NHS

A local doctors’ leader is warning swine flu is likely to spread to all Britain’s major cities within a fortnight.

And he told those who develop flu-like symptoms to stay off work, stay indoors and call NHS Direct.

Dr Kailash Chand is secretary of West Pennine Local Medical Committee and a member of the British Medical Association’s national council.

He issued the warning today after two people in Scotland were confirmed to have swine flu after returning from Mexico.

An aircraft due to leave Manchester for Cancun this morning was cancelled.

Dr Chand gave a grim picture for Britain’s major cities, and said those most likely to be affected are people who have just arrived back from Mexico, Texas, parts of Southern California and New York state.

The Department of Health is closely monitoring a deadly outbreak of swine flu in Mexico, amid fears of a potential pandemic.

Dr Chand said NHS Direct was the first port of call for anyone who develops flu-like symptoms.

One of the greatest concerns is that the new strain seems to target young, healthy adults, the same group affected by Spanish flu, which killed between 20 and 50 million people in 1918.

Dr Chand’s advice is: “Be sensible about symptoms. People talk loosely of having ‘a bit of flu’ when they get a snuffly nose.

“This is a cold. If you get real influenza, you are ill. Very ill.

“Influenza does not start with snuffles, it starts with headaches, muscle pains and feeling wretched.

“If in doubt, stay put and call NHS direct,” he said.

The World Health Organisation rates Britain as one of the two countries best prepared for an outbreak, along with France.

The NHS has enough of the drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, which have proved effective in Mexico, to treat half the population.

How worried should we be about the illness?

What is swine flu?

A contagious respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Pigs are hit by regular outbreaks. There are many different types of swine flu and the current cases involve the H1N1 strain of type A influenza virus.

How do humans catch it?

While people do not normally catch it, humans can contract the virus, usually if they have been in close contact with pigs. It is also possible for the constantly changing infection to spread from person to person, which has happened in the latest outbreak. Experts believe it spreads in the same way as seasonal flu — through coughing and sneezing.

What are the symptoms?

Similar to those of regular flu — fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat. Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhoea.

What is the difference between swine flu, avian flu and the flu commonly seen in the UK during the winter?

Seasonal influenza is caused by viruses that are adapted to spread in humans.

Humans have some natural immunity to the strains that are in common circulation, and this immunity can be boosted by immunisation with a vaccine.

Avian influenza is caused by influenza viruses adapted for infection in birds.

Similarly, swine influenza is caused by influenza viruses adapted for infection in pigs.

These illnesses all cause the same respiratory symptoms in sufferers and can be passed between one another.

How dangerous is it?

Many people have died and thousands made ill in Mexico in particular, although cases have also been reported in the US and New Zealand. However, testing has shown that the antiviral drugs oseltamavir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) appear to be effective against the human swine influenza H1N1 strain,

Why should we be worried about it?

The World Health Organisation warned the outbreak had “pandemic potential” and countries were advised to step up surveillance and preparation in case the infection spreads rapidly. Flu viruses have the ability to change and mutate, making it difficult for drugs manufacturers to ensure effective vaccines are available.

The new version of the H1N1 virus is a mix of different animal and human versions of the disease. Mixing can lead to the development of changed viruses to which humans have little immunity.

What is a pandemic?

If the flu spreads over a wide geographic area and affects a large proportion of the population it goes beyond an epidemic and becomes a pandemic.

Will it spread to the UK?

It is too early to say. Anyone who has recently returned from affected countries should consult a doctor if they notice flu–like symptoms.

What is being done in the UK to prevent the infection?

People are advised to follow general infection control practices and good hygiene to reduce transmission of all viruses. Cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, dispose of dirty tissues promptly, wash hands frequently with soap and water and clean surfaces which are regularly touched.