Swine Flu Information

A swine flu community update has been produced which helps community groups understand the likely impact of swine flu on individuals and their wider communities. It also provides advice to people on how they can look after themselves during the outbreak. The advice will be updated regularly by the Welsh Assembly Government, go to www.wales.gov.uk/swineflu

All agencies in Dyfed-Powys are working together to ensure a co-ordinated approach is taken to make sure we are prepared for an outbreak of pandemic flu.

Until last week the National Public Health Service has been laboratory testing everyone who had potentially come into contact with swine flu and who had symptoms. Now that the UK as a whole is moving into as position where swine flu is circulating freely in the community, fewer people will be tested as patient’s doctors will assume that anyone with flu-like symptoms has contracted swine flu.

Healthy people with flu-like symptoms are being advised to stay at home, check their symptoms on the NHS Direct Wales website and, if they are still concerned, phone their GP. They should not go to their local surgery or A&E in case they spread the virus to others, especially at-risk groups.

Evidence so far suggests that the majority of patients have had relatively mild symptoms and with rest recover within five to seven days.

We are monitoring the situation and working closely with the Welsh Assembly Government which, in turn, is working together with the National Public Health Service for Wales; the Health Protection Agency and the UK Government. Dyfed-Powys Police has plans in place and is dealing with the situation as it develops.

If you are concerned about swine flu please visit NHS Direct Wales website
If you have flu-like symptoms stay at home. You can check your symptoms by calling the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513. If you are still concerned contact NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647. Do not go into your GP surgery or Accident and Emergency department unless you are advised to do so or are seriously ill, as you may spread the illness to others.
Travel advice is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website
Background and further information on the disease can be found on the National Public Health Service for Wales website and the Health Protection Agency website

We can all take basic hygiene precautions to minimise the spread of any germs:-

Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue where 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 to other people
Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product
Helping your children follow this advice

Remember – Catch it, Bin it, Kill it