Swine Flu
This is currently the headline news.........But what knowledge do we have and do we know how to help?.
Here in Panama we have no known cases of Swine Flu reported but Mexico it is a differnt story. We might want to think how and what we in the rest of the world can help.
If you are looking for advice on how swine flu might affect your travel plans, you should consult the travel advice for the country concerned. If you are overseas and are seeking specific advice on the country in which you are located you should also consult our travel advice.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is coordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. Comprehensive advice and information on the current situation can be found on the WHO website.
On 29 April the WHO raised the pandemic alert level to phase 5. This is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region.
Several tour operators have cancelled flights to Mexico. You should check with your tour operator if you have booked a holiday to Mexico.
If you are travelling to an affected country you should:
* consult your usual healthcare provider for travel medical advice and further guidance if you have specific concerns
* check our travel advice for the relevant country before travelling.
The Department of Health website gives further information on what the UK is doing in response to the outbreak. The Health Protection Agency has provided advice on measures which can be taken to prevent infection. General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza. This includes:
* covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
* disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
* maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people
* cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product
* making sure your children follow this advice.
How we can help
We are working closely with the Department of Health and other areas of HM Government. We have provided a dedicated free phone number for all British nationals overseas to call if they are converned about the current Swine Flu outbreak 0044 207 928 1010.
As far as possible, we will continue to deliver a consular service for British nationals resident or travelling overseas through our network of embassies, although there may be a limited services in some places affected by swine flu, depending on the scale and severity of the outbreak. If there is any change to the level of service we can provide, this will be reflected in our travel advice for that country.
If you are living or are travelling overseas, please register on LOCATE so that we will be able to keep you informed of any significant changes in our travel advice.
British nationals overseas
If you live in a country affected by swine flu, you should monitor our travel advice and, as with other medical matters, assure yourself of your own healthcare arrangements. This might include obtaining access to anti-viral medicine. If you have any concerns over your own health, you should seek medical advice.
British nationals working overseas should speak to their employers about plans they have in place. Such plans may include access to anti-viral treatment for employees and/or repatriation to the UK.
The British Government will not be in the position to offer evacuation of British Nationals in the event of an influenza pandemic.
Many countries may have limited availability of anti-viral drugs. Our embassy staff may be able to provide advice on the availability of local medicines or healthcare, but we cannot provide medical treatment (including anti-viral medication).
Here in Panama we have no known cases of Swine Flu reported but Mexico it is a differnt story. We might want to think how and what we in the rest of the world can help.
If you are looking for advice on how swine flu might affect your travel plans, you should consult the travel advice for the country concerned. If you are overseas and are seeking specific advice on the country in which you are located you should also consult our travel advice.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is coordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. Comprehensive advice and information on the current situation can be found on the WHO website.
On 29 April the WHO raised the pandemic alert level to phase 5. This is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region.
Several tour operators have cancelled flights to Mexico. You should check with your tour operator if you have booked a holiday to Mexico.
If you are travelling to an affected country you should:
* consult your usual healthcare provider for travel medical advice and further guidance if you have specific concerns
* check our travel advice for the relevant country before travelling.
The Department of Health website gives further information on what the UK is doing in response to the outbreak. The Health Protection Agency has provided advice on measures which can be taken to prevent infection. General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza. This includes:
* covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
* disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully
* maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people
* cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product
* making sure your children follow this advice.
How we can help
We are working closely with the Department of Health and other areas of HM Government. We have provided a dedicated free phone number for all British nationals overseas to call if they are converned about the current Swine Flu outbreak 0044 207 928 1010.
As far as possible, we will continue to deliver a consular service for British nationals resident or travelling overseas through our network of embassies, although there may be a limited services in some places affected by swine flu, depending on the scale and severity of the outbreak. If there is any change to the level of service we can provide, this will be reflected in our travel advice for that country.
If you are living or are travelling overseas, please register on LOCATE so that we will be able to keep you informed of any significant changes in our travel advice.
British nationals overseas
If you live in a country affected by swine flu, you should monitor our travel advice and, as with other medical matters, assure yourself of your own healthcare arrangements. This might include obtaining access to anti-viral medicine. If you have any concerns over your own health, you should seek medical advice.
British nationals working overseas should speak to their employers about plans they have in place. Such plans may include access to anti-viral treatment for employees and/or repatriation to the UK.
The British Government will not be in the position to offer evacuation of British Nationals in the event of an influenza pandemic.
Many countries may have limited availability of anti-viral drugs. Our embassy staff may be able to provide advice on the availability of local medicines or healthcare, but we cannot provide medical treatment (including anti-viral medication).
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