What is swine 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, no one 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.
Are you feeling unwell?
If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu, read about swine flu symptoms, stay at home and check your condition using the online National Pandemic Flu Service.
Phone your GP if:
you have a serious existing condition that weakens your immune system, such as cancer
you are pregnant
you have a sick child under one
your condition suddenly gets much worse
your condition is still getting worse after seven days (five for a child)
Note: the National Pandemic Flu Service will assess your symptoms. If required, it will provide an authorisation number that can be used to collect antiviral medication from a local collection point.
For those who do not have internet access, the same service can be accessed on:
Telephone: 0800 151 3100
Minicom: 0800 151 3200
Swine flu leaflet
Households across the UK received a swine flu information leaflet in May. 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. Read the online leaflet online on swine flu
What's happening in Hounslow?
Cases of the swine flu virus have been confirmed in neighbouring boroughs. Whilst the virus may not seem to be as bad as first expected, the number of cases continues to increase and there may be a further risk of widespread transmission over the winter months.
The council is working with Hounslow Primary Care Trust and the other local health services to ensure that the borough is prepared if a pandemic is expected.
Please email contingency.planning@hounslow.gov.uk if you have any questions about pandemic planning.
Useful contacts
Call 0800 1 513 513 to hear the latest information on swine flu.
