University Offices
Swine Flu (H1N1) Pandemic: Guidelines
| The National Pandemic Flu Service | NHS Swine Flu Q and A | Information for Colleges and Students |
Swine flu is a respiratory illness caused by a new strain of the Type A flu (H1N1) virus. It was confirmed in the UK in April 2009 and has spread around the world, prompting the World Health Organisation (WHO) to declare a global flu pandemic. The national situation is currently at Level 4 on the UK Alert level scale. Transmission of swine flu is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu, but flu pandemics can occur at any time of year and may come in a number of waves, several months apart.
National Pandemic Flu Service
The UK has moved from a 'containment' phase (with efforts to contain flu by institutional closures, etc.) to a 'treatment' phase for swine flu. To deal with the increasing number of cases, the NHS has launched the National Pandemic Flu Service. This is a new self-care service with online and phone access which allows you to check your symptoms and access antivirals if required, or receive advice on symptom relief. This service is only intended for people with swine flu. Staying at home and accessing antivirals via the Service will reduce pressure on your GP surgery and NHS services, and prevent you spreading the virus within your community.
How to use the National Pandemic Flu Service
Go online at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu (or, for advice or treatment in England, at https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk/ ) or call 0800 1 513 100 (Textphone is available on 0800 1 513 200). Assessment of your symptoms and medical history will be made over the phone; if you are confirmed as having swine flu, you may be given information about how to access antivirals. Antivirals cannot cure swine flu but they may speed up recovery and may relieve symptoms. A vaccine to protect against swine flu is being developed but it is not available yet.
You should contact your doctor direct, rather than using the National Pandemic Flu Service, if:
| • you have a serious underlying illness | • your condition suddenly gets much worse | • you are pregnant |
| • your condition is still getting worse after 7 days (5 for a child) | • you have a sick child under one year old |
Symptoms of swine flu
You may have swine flu if you have a high temperature (over 38° C / 100.4° F) AND have two of the following symptoms: unusual tiredness; headache; runny nose; sore throat; shortness of breath or cough; loss of appetite; aching muscles; diarrhoea or vomiting. Most cases in the UK have been mild and people have recovered fully after treatment. Only a small number have led to serious illness, usually where patients have had underlying health problems.
Further information
| • Latest NHS information | • FAQs and alerts | • Health Protection Agency |
| • Department of Health | • World Health Organization | • BIS and HEFCE information |
Guidance for staff
If you are absent from work and suspect you may have swine flu you should report your absence in the normal way and inform your institution immediately of the suspected reason for your absence. (Students should inform the relevant college authorities). Specific guidance has been produced for staff and for managers when dealing with staff absences associated with the H1N1 pandemic; this available on the Human Resources Division website. Once you are symptom-free, you may return to work or study. A self-assessment checklist which may assist both managers and staff in determining when they are fit to return to work is available:
Members of the University are urged to be vigilant about minimising infection. Although the UK has moved to a treatment phase, it is important that people stop the virus from spreading - the key is to practise good respiratory and hand hygiene (see NHS and HPA websites for details).
Pandemic management
The University and the Colleges are currently operating as normal. As the virus becomes more widespread in the UK we expect there will be more cases among students and staff.
An Incident Liaison Team (consisting of the chairs and members of both the Advisory Group on Communicable Diseases and of the University's Emergency Management Team, as well as other senior officers) continues to monitor developments and to respond to guidance from the HPA and relevant government authorities. In addition to this webpage, the University and the colleges will continue to issue periodic bulletins through the email distribution lists for University departmental administrators and heads, and through the college Senior Tutors' and Bursars' lists.
Swine Flu Database (for Managers, Departmental Administrators and Heads of Institutions)
Guidance relating to Departmental teaching
These guidelines have been put together to assist Departments in thinking about what arrangements for teaching they might put in place in light of the swine flu pandemic. The guidelines have been endorsed by the H1N1 Incident Liaison Team.
A briefing for administrators (September 2009) is available:
All enquiries regarding the University's management of pandemic flu should be directed to the University's Office of Communications (01223 332300 (out of hours 07970 291007)).