Swine Flu Update
The incidence of flu like illness, which includes Swine flu, has significantly fallen in Northern Ireland in recent weeks. The highest rates occurred in November 2009 and rates are now at normal seasonal levels in the student and staff age groups. There have been over 1300 confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) in Northern Ireland, almost 600 of which required admission to hospital at some time during their illness. There have been 16 Swine Flu related deaths all of whom had existing health problems prior to contracting the illness.
The predicted Autumn peak of Swine flu has passed but the virus remains active in the community and cases are expected to continue to occur with a further increase in the early months of 2010. It is important to continue to take every precaution to reduce the spread of the virus by following the ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’ campaign advice and by exercising the highest levels of hand and ‘touch surface’ cleanliness at home and at work.
VACCINATION
Vaccination against swine flu started on 21 October in Northern Ireland. Priority is being given to specific groups of people, as prioritised by DHSSPSNI. They are:-
- Healthcare workers
- Individuals aged between six months and 65 years in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups
- All pregnant women, subject to licensing considerations
- Household contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups
Some of our students who have regular contact with patients in a clinical setting are included in the DHSSPSNI definition of ‘Healthcare worker’. These are nursing, medical, dental and midwifery students and some clinical pharmacology and social work students. The University Occupational Health Service has offered vaccine to all designated groups and has vaccinated over 1,600 students and staff in these groups during November and December. A much reduced vaccination programme will continue into the Spring of 2010.
GUIDANCE FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS updated 4 January 2010
All University activities, including assessments, teaching and placements are continuing as normal.
January assessments are continuing as normal and special arrangements have been put in place to reduce the spread of virus in examination halls. Students who have symptoms of Swine Flu should not attend examinations, to reduce the risk of spread to others and to hasten their own recovery. Normal sickness certification and alternative assessment arrangements apply.
Plans have been made to ensure that Schools and Directorates can continue with their normal activities throughout the pandemic. Queen’s is a large community of almost 30,000 students and staff and we have already had a small number of cases and close contacts, all of whom are well and back at work or study. There will inevitably be more cases of Flu in the Winter months. It remains important to recognise symptoms early and deal with them as advised by your GP and the University guidance (FAQ) below.
It is important to keep work surfaces such as keyboards, mice and desktops clean in order to reduce the risk of spread. The cleaning staff have been advised accordingly but each one of us can help by ensuring the cleanliness of our own work areas and by following the advice on using tissues to reduce the spread of the illness, as provided in the ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it’ campaign. Regular hand washing, especially before and after using equipment which may have been used by others, is strongly recommended.
Sanitising gels have been made available where staff use material such as photocopiers, scanners and kitchen surfaces which may have been touched by others.
It is important that members of staff and students who develop symptoms of flu, follow the advice provided by the DHSSPS, in order to access the best treatment for themselves and limit the rate of spread of the virus. The advice to contact the Occupational Health Service will help us provide you with work or academic related advice and to monitor the impact on the University.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Guidance on International travel
- Foreign & Commonwealth Office, www.fco.gov.uk
Current UK health advice
- Health Protection Agency, www.hpa.org.uk
- Department of Health, www.dh.gov.uk
Current Northern Ireland health advice
- Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety, www.dhsspsni.gov.uk
- The Northern Ireland helpline number is 0800 0514 142
CRITERIA FOR SUSPICION OF SWINE FLU* 1. CLINICAL Fever greater than 38°C OR history of fever AND flu-like illness (two or more of the following symptoms: cough, runny nose, limb/joint pain, headache) OR other severe/life-threatening illness suggestive of an infectious process. 2. GEOGRAPHICAL Onset of symptoms within seven days of visiting areas known to have cases of swine influenza A/H1N1. Please contact the Occupational Health Service if you need further advice, 028 9097 5541 or occhealth@qub.ac.uk
