Town can cope with swine flu (From This Is Cheshire)

Town can cope with swine flu

5:30pm Thursday 9th July 2009

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THE number of swine flu cases is increasing every day in the UK, but the way Warrington dealt with four confirmed cases in June shows the town can cope, the chief executive of NHS Warrington has said.

All the people infected with the virus last month have made full recoveries, Andrew Burgess told NHS Warrington’s board meeting last Wednesday.

‘I was hugely impressed with our readiness.'

Chief executive, Andrew Burgess

He said: “I was hugely impressed with our readiness and our response,” he said.

“We have been formulating the most robust plan we’ve ever had.”

Two of the confirmed swine flu cases were pupils at Grappenhall Heys Primary School and Mr Burgess thanked the school for its response.

Classmates and teachers of the pupils, who were aged four and nine, were given anti-viral drugs as a precaution.

The four-year-old had contracted the virus from a male relative, believed to be the father, and the nine-year-old from the four-year-old, as the two had spent time together outside of school.

There was also a fourth case in the town, but details of the patient have not been released.

The cases had proved a ‘testing water’ for NHS Warrington’s emergency flu plan, said Mr Burgess.

However, with the World Health Organisation announcing that flu spread is ‘unstoppable’, health bosses want people to make sure they are prepared.

One of the most important messages they have is that people stay inside and limit their contact with other people if they have, or suspect they have, the virus.

This means you will need a ‘flu friend’ – someone who can go to pharmacies for you and get anti-viral drugs and other medications, and can do your shopping while you are ill.

If you have elderly neighbours, or neighbours who live alone, you should make sure they are supported.

If you have any concerns, call the swine flu information line on 08001 513 513 to hear the latest advice.

If you have swine flu symptoms, call either your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

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