HSE continue to monitor swine influenza

Midlands HSE has urged members of the public to contact their doctors by phone if they are suffering from flu symptoms after returning from abroad.The Health Service Executive and the Department of Health and Children continue to closely monitor cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 being reported internationally.Public Health officials from the HSE, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the Dept. of Health and Children are meeting daily and carefully monitoring reports of these cases.A number of people have presented in recent days with mild flu symptoms, which are currently being investigated through laboratory tests at the National Viral Reference Laboratory.It is expected that a significant number of people will present in the coming weeks, who may have recently returned from infected zones and the necessary investigations will be carried out as a matter of priority.No cases have been confirmed in Ireland to date, but several European countries are monitoring people recently returned from Mexico as possible cases, with one case confirmed in Spain this morning.It is considered likely that additional cases will emerge over the coming days. As a precaution, the HSE has issued guidance and will constantly update all hospitals and GPs nationwide on A/H1N1 human swine influenza.Dr. Kevin Kelleher, Head of Health Protection with the HSE said: 'We haven"t seen any cases in Ireland as yet, but it is important to be prepared for any possible cases that may arise. We have issued advice to GPs and clinician nationwide on managing any suspected cases.'Ireland has been preparing for situations like this for several years, and we have robust and detailed plans in place to respond. The H1N1 swine flu virus is sensitive to the antiviral drugs of which we have in place ample stockpiles for Ireland. We are and will continue to closely follow the emerging situation. 'In the US, 20 cases have been confirmed in California, Texas, New York and Ohio. The first cases had onset of illness in late March. All cases had a mild influenza-like illness. No deaths have been reported.In Mexico, surveillance began picking up cases of influenza-like illness from 18 March and there have been more than 1,400 possible cases of pneumonia identified as of 27 April. According to the government of Mexico, of these over 100 have died.Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with similar swine influenza viruses. The virus appears to have spread from human to human but it is not yet clear how easily it spreads.Human cases of swine influenza have been reported in Mexico and certain areas of the United States of America and other countries. This is an evolving situation and it is likely that more countries will be affected over the coming days.Signs and symptoms of this virus have consisted of influenza-like illness - fever and respiratory tract illness (cough, sore throat, runny nose), headache, muscle aches - and some cases have had vomiting and diarrhoea.For most people this illness appears to be relatively mild. Infection with this virus is treatable.If you develop an influenza-like illness and have recently returned from Mexico or affected parts of the USA, you should telephone your family doctor.As with any infectious disease, the following precautionary measures are recommended: Cover your nose and mouth with disposable single-use tissues when sneezing, coughing, wiping and blowing your noseDispose of used tissues in the nearest waste bin.Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, using tissues, or contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects.Keep your hands away from the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth.If you are sick with flu, stay at home to avoid spreading infection to others.There are currently no travel restrictions advised, but the situation is under active review by the World Health Organization (WHO).