Blossoms Healthcare continues to monitor the 'Swine Flu' outbreak.

Although the situation is cause for concern, it's important to maintain a balanced and impartial view and this note is intended to provide a short professional opinion to help you keep your employees well informed.

• Although there is significant media coverage, 26 cases of A/H1N1 'Swine Flu' have been laboratory confirmed in Mexico, with seven laboratory confirmed deaths (http://www.who.int/csr/don2009_04_28/en/index.htlm)
• The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Canada (6), New Zealand (3), the United Kingdom (2), Israel (2) and Spain (2)
• WHO pandemic Phase 4 does not mean that a pandemic is inevitable and the next 24 hours will clarify the threat to UK public health and business.  The WHO are meeting today to review the situation
• Cases outside Mexico currently appear to have relatively minor symptoms with a very low number of cases requiring hospital treatment
• Presenting cases in Mexico have stabilised in the last few days and the low increase in confirmed cases in the USA in the past 24 hours is reassuring (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gzz357patY4-QaJFvo9O95zMM_EQD97RTNO80)
• The transmission of the virus is comparable with 'seasonal flu' and as such is likely to require close contact for 'droplet' infection to occur
• Maintaining personal hygiene and precautions such as avoiding infected areas, avoiding obviously sick people and seeking medical support if symptoms present are the most sensible steps to take at this stage

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