Swine flu - keep informed and review your business readiness
24 July 2009
As the spread of the swine flu virus (officially known as influenza A H1N1) accelerates, business readiness is growing in importance. You can use the Business Link website to keep updated on what your business can do to help your employees get treatment and to prevent further spread of swine flu.
We recommend you sign up for immediate email alerts and bookmark their advice for easy reference.
(http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?r.lc=en&type=ONEOFFPAGE&itemId=1082470688&r.s=sl)
From containment to treatment
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its pandemic alert to level 6. This reflects the WHO's analysis of the global spread, not the severity, of the disease. Read about the global response to swine flu outbreaks on the WHO website. (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html)
The UK government is increasing its focus on treating the increasing number of people who have swine flu as the virus inevitably spreads more widely in the UK.
The National Pandemic Flu Service
The National Pandemic Flu Service is available from today in an aim to take the pressure off GP surgeries and hospitals. Online and/or by phone, your employees will be able to check their symptoms and receive a diagnosis and receive a voucher that they can use to pick up antiviral medicines from a local collection centre or have a 'flu friend' collect on their behalf.
National Pandemic Flu Service website: https://www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk/
Businesses should follow detailed NHS guidance for employers in the workplace.
Download detailed NHS guidance for employers in the workplace from the Department of Health website (PDF, 530K). (http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_097137?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=189550&Rendition=Web)
Email your employees the official leaflet
The official government swine flu leaflet explains how to prevent transmission of swine flu and how to access treatment.
We recommend that you email this leaflet to your employees, and suggest that they forward it to friends and family.
Download the NHS leaflet on swine flu from the Directgov website (PDF, 119K) (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/DG_177831?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=194088&Rendition=Web). You can also access the leaflet on swine flu in alternative languages and formats on the Directgov website (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/News/DG_177995).
The more your employees know about how to prevent infection, the more resilient your business will be
Although we are moving to the treatment phase in response to the spread of swine flu, it's important that you and your employees continue to do everything you can to stop swine flu from spreading.
The key prevention messages are:
- always carry tissues
- use clean tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze
- bin the tissues after one use
- wash your hands with soap and hot water or a sanitizer gel often
Or in short: "Catch it, bin it, kill it."
Business Advisory Network for Flu
The Business Advisory Network for Flu (BANF) is a Cabinet Office initiative. BANF aims to help businesses prepare for the effects of swine flu by:
- ensuring delivery of swine flu information, advice and guidance to businesses and business groups
- receiving from businesses and business groups swine flu queries and issues they want to see addressed
Download more information about BANF the current UK swine flu situation and advice on business continuity (PDF, 588K). (http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/Horizontal_Services_files/BANF_and_business_continuity_presentation_30jun_20.pdf