Flu pandemic information

Consultations with GPs and other medical practitioners continue to fall and the reported occurrences are now down to around 20 per 100,000; half the number of consultations during the previous week. (Consultations stood at 124 per 100,000 at the end of December 2010). The predominant strain of the virus in circulation is now influenza B, which has taken over from influenza A H1N1 (swine flu).

The total number of deaths reported and attributable to flu is 395 since October 2010, and there have been very few in the past week. The vast majority were in the ‘at risk’ group (for vaccination), and most had not received their jab.

The latest flu reports show that levels are now below baseline in England, Wales and Scotland. National monitoring will continue until the end of May 2011.

Dr Ian Brown, Director of the University Occupational Health Service

The University has developed a planning framework for action to be taken in the event of a flu pandemic (see right, 'useful information'). The University's aim is to minimise the impact of the flu pandemic on students, staff, and visitors to the University, whilst as far as possible maintaining the University's core activities of teaching and research. Information and guidance on the framework has been distributed to departments. Colleges also have plans for dealing with a pandemic.

The University's response will be guided by information from recognised regional, national, and international bodies. Close co-operation exists between the University and the regional health authority in planning for a possible flu pandemic. As part of the planning process the University has produced a colour-coded guide to the University of Oxford pandemic plan phases. 

A decision to move between Pandemic Phases will be made by the University authorities, in close consultation with regional and national bodies.

This website is used to post new information in a developing pandemic situation, so you may wish to bookmark this site.

This website will be updated at any time when the University's pandemic alert phase changes, so it is worth visiting this site and familiarising yourself with its content from time to time.