THE advice from the Island’s Public Health Directorate remains unchanged following the declaration of a swine flu pandemic today(Thursday 11th June) by the World Health Organisation.
Dr Paul Emerson, Acting Director of Public Health, explained ‘The declaration of a level 6 pandemic is not unexpected, and reflects the fact that swine flu is spreading significantly in two continents, North America and Australia.
‘The declaration of a pandemic does not mean that the virus has become more deadly or serious – the flu is still relatively mild with very few deaths in global terms.
'But it does send a clear signal to health officials and businesses around the world to prepare for the possibility of large numbers of people catching the virus in their areas. In the Isle of Man we do have contingency plans in place for a pandemic.’
Dr Emerson said the message to the public remains the same as before:
• Stay at home and contact your GP by phone if you have flu symptoms – fever, cough, sore throat or body aches and pains
• Maintain good personal hygiene
• Cover mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing and use tissues instead of handkerchiefs
• If you do not have the flu symptoms you should continue to live life as normal
