Newcastle City Council

Given the worldwide outbreak of Influenza A/H1N1 - Swine Flu, the following Questions and Answers provide basic information to reassure you.

What does the move to 'treatment phase' mean?

What is Influenza A/H1N1 - Swine flu?

Influenza A/H1N1 - Swine flu is an acute viral infection in pigs. Swine influenza viruses have also been detected in birds and humans, but transmission between species is unusual. Swine influenza is rare in people and there have been no cases detected in the UK for over ten years.

Can people catch Influenza A/H1N1 - swine flu from eating pork?

No. Swine influenza viruses are not transmitted by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products is safe. Cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F kills the swine flu virus as it does other bacteria and viruses.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in humans?

It is likely, the symptoms of swine flu in people will be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, drowsiness, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.

What treatment is available?

Antiviral drugs are available to treat influenza.  They lessen the severity of symptoms and how long they last. Tests show the human swine influenza virus can be treated with the antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu and Relenza.

What measures can I take to prevent infection?

Practicing general infection control and good respiratory and hand hygiene can help reduce transmission of all viruses. This means:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
• Carefully disposing of dirty tissues at once.
• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands often with soap and water to limit the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.
• Cleaning hard surfaces often using a normal cleaning product.
• Making sure children also follow this advice.

Is this the next influenza pandemic, we’ve been hearing about?

It is too early to say whether the cases in Mexico  and in other countries will lead to a larger outbreak or a pandemic strain of influenza virus.

If someone who has been to the affected areas of Mexico or United States is feeling sick what should they do?

• Anyone who has recently travelled to the affected areas and is experiencing influenza like illness should stay at home to limit contact with others. They should seek medical advice by phoning their GP or by contacting NHS Direct on 08 45 46 47 or on the Internet at www.nhs.uk
• Clearly, this is a cause for concern and the Department of Health are closely watching how the flu develops alongside the World Health Organization and international partners.
• According to the World Health Organization, the UK is one of the best prepared countries in the world.
• The good news is, given antiviral drugs like Tamiflu early enough, the people who get this virus are recovering. In the UK we have measures in place, including enough antivirals to treat half the UK population if they become ill if a pandemic happens.

If you have any further queries or concerns, you will find these websites useful:

Health Protection Agency (HPA)

Department of Health (DH)             

World Health Organization (WHO)

For travel advice please visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.