Swine flu: General advice for employers

Employers and employees should practice good personal hygiene measures - use a disposable tissue to control coughs/sneezes, dispose of it appropriately and wash your hands before eating, drinking etc. In addition you should:

• advise your staff to stay at home if they are sick with flu-like symptoms
• send home any employees who are displaying flu-like signs/symptoms
• telephone NHS Direct 0845 4647 for advice
• telephone the swine flu information number 0800 1 513 513

Frequently asked questions

• Is the swine flu virus contagious?
• What measures can I take to protect against infection?
• Is swine flu treatable?
• Is there a vaccine?
• Do I need a face mask?
• If someone who has been to affected areas is feeling sick what should they do?
• What is in the swine flu leaflet?
• How do I reduce the risk of catching or spreading flu?

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Is the swine flu virus contagious?

It has been determined that this virus is contagious and it spreads between people, although it is not known how easily. [Back to top]

What measures can I take to protect against infection?

General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza. This includes:

• covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when 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 or to other people
• cleaning hard surfaces (such as door handles and kitchen worktops) frequently using a normal cleaning product
• making sure your children follow this advice [Back to top]
  

Is swine flu treatable?

Testing has shown that the swine flu can be treated with the antiviral medicines oseltamavir (brand name Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Visit the NHS website for further information. [Back to top]

Is there a vaccine?

Not at this stage. This type of flu is not the same as seasonal flu: it involves a completely new type of virus. A vaccine can only be developed when the specific strain has been identified, and it would then take several months to produce. [Back to top]

Do I need a face mask?

The widespread wearing of masks during a pandemic is unlikely to be effective at preventing people from becoming infected with the virus. However, they may have some limited ability to stop those already infected with the virus from spreading it.

Use of face masks

The number of people in public places who are displaying symptoms is likely to be limited. Therefore it should not be necessary for workers to wear masks routinely when in contact with the general public.

However, there may be some situations when it will be advisable for a worker to wear a mask. Such a situation will depend on the nature of the work and where it is to be carried out.

Employers should carry out a risk assessment and, amongst other things, gauge:

• if workers are likely to encounter members of the public who are displaying symptoms, for example, in a healthcare setting it is highly likely that contact with the public (patients) will include persons who have symptoms of influenza
• where contact with people displaying symptoms is likely, whether any measures can be taken to minimise contact
• the duration and frequency of contact with members of the public

Selection of face masks

Advice on the types of face masks available and how to select the appropriate one for your employees, can be found on the Department of Health website and on the Health and Safety Executive website. [Back to top]

If someone who has been to affected areas 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, and seek medical advice from a local health professional or by contacting NHS Direct 0845 4647. [Back to top]

What is in the swine flu leaflet?

The government started distributing a leaflet on swine flu to all UK households on 5 May 2009.

The Department of Health has produced the leaflet to give information about swine flu, including:

• more details about swine flu and how it could spread
• what the UK governments have done to prepare for a wider outbreak of flu
• what you can do to protect yourself and others against flu
• other actions you can take in case swine flu does become more widespread
• what to do if you think you have flu symptoms
• how you can keep up to date with the latest information about swine flu

You can download this leaflet from the documents table below. [Back to top]

How do I reduce the risk of catching or spreading flu?

Follow the guidance under what measures can I take to protect against infection?

There is no convincing scientific evidence that the widespread issue of face masks to healthy members of the public can stop this disease spreading. Moreover, they can give false reassurance, and can encourage people to ignore basic and straightforward hand hygiene measures that are known to be effective. [Back to top]

Further advice

Specific advice for businesses, including contingency planning is available from the Business Link website.

Information on the latest situation is available from the Health Protection Agency website.

General advice on signs, symptoms and preventing spread is available from the NHS website.