First Probable Case Of Swine Flu In Wales

Main Category: Swine Flu
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS;  Public Health;  Respiratory / Asthma
Article Date: 03 Jun 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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A probable case of swine flu in Wales has been identified by microbiology testing.

The patient is a 31 year old male from the Caerphilly local authority area. The infection is linked to his travel to the USA.

He has had mild flu symptoms, has been offered antivirals and is recovering at home. He has been defined as a probable case because he meets the clinical and epidemiological criteria and has been tested positive for non seasonal influenza A infection. Confirmation is expected from further microbiology testing on Monday.

The close family contacts are all well and have been offered antivirals. Other close contacts are being traced. Antivirals are offered as treatment to people who are ill and to aid prevention to people who are well but have been in close contact with a case.

Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, said, "We have made it clear all along that there would be cases in Wales and everyone must continue to be vigilant and try to reduce the spread of the virus.

"It is likely that further cases will continue to emerge and we are continuing to monitor the situation very closely. However, while numbers remain low, our focus continues to be on learning as much as we can about the virus and working to slow its spread.

"Our advice to the public remains the same, people should follow good respiratory and hand hygiene to help prevent the spread of influenza - always using a tissue to catch sneezes, throwing away used tissues where germs can linger and regularly washing your hands, or cleaning them with a sanitising gel.

"Although it is natural for people to feel apprehensive, we would like to reassure the public that we have been working to prepare for the arrival of the virus for many years and have robust procedures in place."

Dr Roland Salmon, Director of the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, National Public Health Service for Wales, said, "We continue to advise that anyone who has flu-like symptoms and has travelled to one of the affected areas should stay at home and phone their GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47.

"People should not go to Accident and Emergency Departments or to their GP surgery without ringing first, as this may risk spreading the infection. It also places undue pressure on the emergency services.

"Although there are indications that this flu is mild, we know that seasonal flu can be severe, particularly for elderly and vulnerable people, so there is still good reason for us all to take action to reduce its effects. Flu is often confused with a bad cold but is in fact far more serious and leads to many deaths each year in Wales.

The Welsh Assembly Government continues to liaise with the National Public Health Service for Wales, Health Protection Agency, the other UK countries and international colleagues to monitor the situation closely.

Notes

The probable case

- No further details will be confirmed or denied about the case in order to protect his right to confidentiality.

Features of the outbreak

- Based on assessment of all available information and following several expert consultations, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the level of influenza pandemic alert at phase 5.

- Phase 5 indicates that WHO considers a global pandemic to be imminent. This change is a signal to countries' governments to ramp up their pandemic preparations.

- More investigations and testing are needed to determine the severity of the disease and the ease with which it can spread. These investigations are currently underway with the support of the WHO.

- Testing has shown that the human swine influenza H1N1 can be treated with the antiviral oseltamavir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®).

- Evidence of sustained person to person spread in Mexico and the USA. Person to person transmission of swine flu has also been confirmed in other countries across the world.

- Further information on Swine Flu and Pandemic Flu is available bilingually from http://www.nphs.wales.nhs.uk

- Further information from the Welsh Assembly Government response is available bilingually at http://www.wales.gov.uk

Source
Welsh Assembly Government

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