Archive of messages to University members

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.

Flu activity continues to increase across the UK, although epidemic levels have not been reached. If the current trend continues, epidemic levels may be reached within 4 weeks. There have been 40 deaths reported, but all were within vulnerable groups and the majority were not immunised.

Most of the severe cases of infection have been caused by the swine flu strain (H1N1), and this is now included in the standard vaccination this year, which includes the three most prevalent strains, H1N1, H3N2 and influenza B. Vaccination is still advised and essential for vulnerable groups. Others can purchase the vaccine from local chemists and supermarket pharmacies at a cost of £10 to £20 per injected dose. The current vaccine has been found to be very safe with few side effects and immunity develops in 5 to 10 days.

Infection rates are steadily increasing and may well continue to do so over the next 4 to 6 weeks. Epidemic levels may be reached and unimmunised vulnerable groups will be particularly at risk. Vaccination should be considered by all and is imperative in vulnerable individuals.

The global situation is variable, with intense virus circulation in central, eastern, and south-eastern Europe - particularly in Poland, Serbia, Ukraine and Georgia. In western and northern Europe, the infection rates are just seasonal. Nationally there has been an increase in England since the new year return to work, but nothing of significance; in the South Central Region, swine flu activity continues to decrease. Young children remain the most susceptible and at risk group. Vulnerable groups and frontline health care workers have all been vaccinated and this reduces the susceptible population pool. Within the University of Oxford, flu infection remains at non-epidemic seasonal levels. The risk of a third wave is small but not negligible and the World Health Organisation still remains at pandemic alert level 6: increased and sustained transmission amongst the global population.

The Registrar has circulated an update on prevention of, and procedures for dealing with, flu (both seasonal and H5N1). This is available on the homepage of the University flu website.

Swine flu vaccination

The UK's vaccination programme against swine flu was launched today. This vaccination is only available through the NHS and is not available from the University's Occupational Health Service. Individuals in the clinical priority groups will be contacted by their GPs within the next two weeks. The earliest possible delivery date for the first supplies of vaccine to general practices is Monday 26 October 2009. For more information on clinical priority groups and the programme please see the NHS leaflet 'Swine flu vaccination: what you need to know'.

Planning for the potential impact of swine flu on educational activity

The Academic Registrar recently circulated information about the potential impact of swine flu on educational activity at the University, with an update on central planning relating to this. The letter is available as a pdf on the homepage of the University flu website. 

The Registrar has circulated a letter containing guidance on planning and communication in relation to swine flu. This letter is available on the right under ‘documents’. 

In light of a number of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (‘swine flu’) cases in the collegiate University, I am writing to provide information about the pandemic and actions that you should take in order to protect yourself.

Swine flu spreads from person to person by coughing and sneezing, and by coming into contact with infected areas (such as door handles, telephones, keyboards). Please be vigilant about infection control. You should cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, dispose of used tissues promptly and carefully, and wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus.

Flu-like symptoms include a feverish illness accompanied by one or more of cough, sore throat, headache and muscle ache.

If you develop flu-like symptoms, you should:

(i) go home immediately, stay at home, or remain in your room;

(ii) phone your GP, college doctor or NHS Direct who will be able to tell you over the phone if you have swine flu. The diagnosis will be based on your symptoms; laboratory testing is no longer being carried out. Do not go into your GP surgery or to a hospital, as you may spread the disease to others. Please note that Tamiflu, or other appropriate medication, is no longer being issued by the NHS to everyone with H1N1 symptoms. It is only dispensed by GPs where they feel there is a clinical need. This can apply to vulnerable age groups or to those with underlying health conditions which could be worsened by flu;

(iii) ensure that you inform your appropriate department or college contact as soon as possible. This would usually be the line manager for administrative staff; departmental administrator/divisional contact for academic staff; Senior Tutor/Dean for undergraduates; and Tutor for Graduates/Dean for graduates. However, as the appropriate contact will vary between departments and colleges, you should check in advance to make sure that you know who it is.

You should also provide this person with a list of any ‘close contacts’ within your working environment.  A ‘close contact’ is a person who has spent more than one hour with you in a proximity of less than one metre; and that ‘close contact’ must have taken place within the period from 48 hours before you displayed symptoms to the point at which you left the workplace. For these purposes, only the names of close contacts within your working environment are required (your GP will advise in relation to ‘close contacts’ outside work). Your department/college will then make any ‘close contacts’ aware of your illness to alert them to the possibility of infection. ‘Close contacts’ will also be advised of the need to maintain confidentiality.

During the course of your absence from work, you should keep your department/college contact advised of your possible date of return to work so that appropriate cover can be arranged.

There is now a number of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 cases within the collegiate University. Those colleges and departments who are affected are aware of the situation and are enacting their flu plans, including plans for internal communications. Advice on managing swine flu is taken in all cases from the local Health Protection Unit.

University members are urged to be vigilant about infection control and to follow advice on this site about both infection control and what to do if you experience flu-like symptoms.

Tamiflu is no longer being issued by the NHS to everyone with H1N1 symptoms. It is only dispensed by GPs where they feel there is a clinical need. This can apply to vulnerable age groups or to those with underlying health conditions which could be worsened by flu.

The University remains very well prepared.

Please note that this advice has now been updated, see the note above for the latest advice.

The World Health Organisation has increased its pandemic alert to Level 5, which indicates large clusters of disease, suggesting that the virus is starting to become better adapted to humans, but person to person spread is still localised. 148 cases of swine influenza (A, H1N1) have been identified in nine countries: there are eight confirmed cases in the United Kingdom, two in Scotland, one in Devon, three in London, one in Birmingham and one in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. No cases have been reported in the Oxfordshire area.

Staff and students who have returned home from Mexico since 24 April 2009 should remain off work for seven calendar days from the date of return to the UK and must, as soon as possible, contact the Occupational Health Department of the University. Staff and students who think they may have flu need to contact their GP as a precaution. Tamiflu will be given to all those with confirmed or suspected cases, their carers and those who have been in close contact with such cases.

The University of Oxford has comprehensive and detailed plans in place for this contingency: a pandemic flu planning document is available on the university website and further guidance has been issued to clleges and departments to enable them to formulate plans specific to their circumstances. A meeting of the University’s Pandemic Planning Committee is to take place tomorrow, Friday 1 May, at 3 pm. The Committee will be updated on the current situation and will review the procedures in place to ensure that they remain appropriate. I am also liaising closely with the Oxfordshire Influenza Pandemic Committee of the Primary Care Trust and will attend a meeting with them on Tuesday 5 May.

I will continue to keep you informed of developments.

Dr Ian Brown, OBE, FRCP, FFOM
Chairman of the Pandemic Planning Team
Director/Consultant Occupational Physician