HPA: Awareness needed of swine flu
April 27, 2009
Firms whose employees have recently visited Mexico or are planning to should be aware of the risk of swine flu.
The condition, which as a respiratory disease in pigs caused by type-A influenza viruses, has been blamed for up to 103 deaths in the country, while suspected cases have been reported in the UK, the US, New Zealand, Israel, France and Australia.
Symptoms of swine flu include fatigue, coughing, sore throat, fever and lack of appetite, while some may experience vomiting and diarrhoea.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) recommended that people who have recently travelled to Mexico and affected parts of the US, such as California and Texas, contact a doctor immediately if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
In a statement, the organisation added: "There is currently a very low level of flu activity in the UK. The HPA and the NHS have systems in place, which will alert public health authorities of any unusual strain circulating in the UK."
The agency added that there are currently no travel restrictions in place for visitors to Mexico or the US, although people should take care over respiratory and hand hygiene.
Find out more about conducting a Risk Assessment
The condition, which as a respiratory disease in pigs caused by type-A influenza viruses, has been blamed for up to 103 deaths in the country, while suspected cases have been reported in the UK, the US, New Zealand, Israel, France and Australia.
Symptoms of swine flu include fatigue, coughing, sore throat, fever and lack of appetite, while some may experience vomiting and diarrhoea.
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) recommended that people who have recently travelled to Mexico and affected parts of the US, such as California and Texas, contact a doctor immediately if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
In a statement, the organisation added: "There is currently a very low level of flu activity in the UK. The HPA and the NHS have systems in place, which will alert public health authorities of any unusual strain circulating in the UK."
The agency added that there are currently no travel restrictions in place for visitors to Mexico or the US, although people should take care over respiratory and hand hygiene.
Find out more about conducting a Risk Assessment
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