Pandemic Flu
The Committee will be aware that Swine Flu has now been rated as a pandemic. This is on the basis that the virus has spread globally.
The Health Protection Agency has advised that the UK has now moved to a treatment phase to manage the current flu outbreak. As a result GPs will diagnose cases on the basis of clinical observation rather than laboratory testing. Everyone who has flu-like symptoms will be assessed by a doctor and if diagnosed with swine flu will be given antivirals to manage their illness.
Fiona Field, Director of Governance and Strategic Planning at Central and Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust will verbally update the Committee on the latest position in relation to Pandemic Flu.
Minutes:
The Committee received an update on the current position relating to the flu pandemic.
Three antiviral collection centres had now been identified or set up in Cheshire East – Universal House, Middlewich (the PCT headquarters), Crewe (either the Oaklea Centre or Meredith Centre) and the Senior Citizens’ Centre, Macclesfield. The PCT had worked with the Council regarding identifying suitable sites as it was not possible to use hospital or primary care facilities due to the increased risks of spreading infection. All users of the Senior Citizens Centre had been consulted and alternative venues found for them to use. There were also a number of Community Pharmacies issuing antiviral medicine.
It was not possible to confirm actual cases of Swine Flu as patients were no longer swabbed, the numbers of people issued with antiviral medicine at the centres in Middlewich and Macclesfield together with Community Pharmacies totalled 3362 at 28 July 2009.
A National Flu Helpline had been set up on 23 July where people who suspected they had swine flu could be taken through their symptoms, issued with a reference number which a “flu friend” could then take to a collection centre to collect medicine on their behalf.
A Swine Flu vaccine was being developed in preparation for a mass vaccination programme to start in Autumn, with high risk groups targeted initially. The vaccine would be given in two parts, 3 weeks apart. The ordinary winter flu vaccine programme would continue as usual.
RESOLVED: That the update on Pandemic Flu be received and noted.