Local agencies are keeping a close eye on the developments regarding swine flu. As you may know, the World Health Organisation has changed the alert to level 4. This means there are small clusters of outbreaks with limited person-to-person transmission.

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 by telephone from a local health professional or by contacting NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.Staff and members of the public looking for up-to-date information should log onto the NHS choices website: http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/homepage.aspx .

Further scientific information is available at the Health Protection Agency website: www.hpa.org.uk . Health advice and information is also available from NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.If this advice, or the situation locally, changes we will of course let you know.

Agencies have been working collectively over recent years to plan for this sort of eventuality. The Local Resilience Forum, the multi-agency forum for dealing with possible emergencies has met to assess the situation locally, and will remain vigilant. However, to deliver the most effective response, it’s important that everyone does their bit and takes responsibility for protecting and preparing themselves and their families. There are simple steps that everyone can take to help prevent catching colds and flu based on good respiratory and hand hygiene. Always use a tissue to catch your sneezes, throw away used tissues where germs can linger and regularly wash your hands.

From 1st April 2009 Voluntary Action Leicester will be delivering some of the services.To find out more about these changes please visit the website below.

http://www.voluntaryactioncharnwood.org.uk/