John
04-30-2009, 07:01 AM
A new public health campaign has been launched telling the public how they can help stop swine flu spreading.
Five people have now been confirmed as having the H1N1 strain of the virus in the UK, including a 12-year-old girl.
At least 76 people are being tested for swine flu in Britain, with 20 possible cases in Wales and 32 in Scotland.
The new Department of Health advert warns people to cover their noses and mouths with tissues when they cough and sneeze, and then to throw the tissue away and wash their hands.
The Catch it, Bin It, Kill it! ad is appearing in print, television and radio and aims to target everyone in the UK.
In the television advert, a man travelling in a lift sneezes and the germs quickly spread to an old couple and a child.
The print advert presents an image of a different man sneezing, trying to cover his mouth with his hand, but failing to stop germs getting through.
It is released after the World Health Organisation raised the pandemic threat level from swine flu to five - its second highest level.
The WHO now believes a global outbreak of the virus is imminent.
At least 159 people are thought to have died from swine flu in Mexico, and one Mexican toddler died in the US.
A UK information line providing advice has also been set up, so the public can call 0800 151 3513 for recorded details about the virus.
An information leaflet will also be posted through people's doors next week.
NHS Direct has released new figures on the number of people visiting its website to find out more about swine flu.
A spokesman said more than 63,000 people visited NHS Direct on Tuesday compared with around 39,000 on Tuesday last week
Stockpiles of anti-viral drugs, currently enough to cover 33 million people in the UK, are being increased to provide for 50 million people.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "The main message is that it is business as usual.
"The advice from WHO said that countries should activate their own plans and that is something that we have already done.
"Still just five cases in the UK and the evidence that the early anti-virals, such as Tamiflu, are helping people to recover.
"It is important to emphasise that we are still not in the pandemic stage."
Five people have now been confirmed as having the H1N1 strain of the virus in the UK, including a 12-year-old girl.
At least 76 people are being tested for swine flu in Britain, with 20 possible cases in Wales and 32 in Scotland.
The new Department of Health advert warns people to cover their noses and mouths with tissues when they cough and sneeze, and then to throw the tissue away and wash their hands.
The Catch it, Bin It, Kill it! ad is appearing in print, television and radio and aims to target everyone in the UK.
In the television advert, a man travelling in a lift sneezes and the germs quickly spread to an old couple and a child.
The print advert presents an image of a different man sneezing, trying to cover his mouth with his hand, but failing to stop germs getting through.
It is released after the World Health Organisation raised the pandemic threat level from swine flu to five - its second highest level.
The WHO now believes a global outbreak of the virus is imminent.
At least 159 people are thought to have died from swine flu in Mexico, and one Mexican toddler died in the US.
A UK information line providing advice has also been set up, so the public can call 0800 151 3513 for recorded details about the virus.
An information leaflet will also be posted through people's doors next week.
NHS Direct has released new figures on the number of people visiting its website to find out more about swine flu.
A spokesman said more than 63,000 people visited NHS Direct on Tuesday compared with around 39,000 on Tuesday last week
Stockpiles of anti-viral drugs, currently enough to cover 33 million people in the UK, are being increased to provide for 50 million people.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "The main message is that it is business as usual.
"The advice from WHO said that countries should activate their own plans and that is something that we have already done.
"Still just five cases in the UK and the evidence that the early anti-virals, such as Tamiflu, are helping people to recover.
"It is important to emphasise that we are still not in the pandemic stage."