Younger People More Likely Victims of Swine Flu
Professor Maria Zambon, Director of the HPA’s Centre for Infections, recently commented on the state of swine flu in the UK. According to her, the effect of the disease is mild in the country at present. However, swine flu can be unpredictable and thus she emphasised the need to keep an eye on the disease to ensure that the Centre’s response to the disease is adequate.
She instructed people to use a normal hygiene regime to avoid swine flu. Habits like washing hands and surfaces regularly, using tissues to cover one’s mouth while sneezing etc can help in preventing infectious diseases and will be useful in preventing the spread of the swine flu virus as well. First aid training can be of benefit to your organisation in helping you to meet the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid at Work) Regulations and in the recognition of major and minor illnesses.
Since data shows that the spread of swine flu is likelier in the younger population, Professor Zambon said that it is important that people in the UK follow the hygiene regime and make their children follow it too.
These statements came after the WHO declared swine flu to be a pandemic around the world, which was followed a few days later by the death of a patient in Scotland. The government claimed that although the victim was suffering from swine flu, she was also suffering from other health problems which exacerbated her condition. Professor Zambon assures that there is no reason to worry about the disease becoming life-threatening as the attacks on most people so far have been mild.
The HPA’s Centre has also decided to monitor the disease all over the world and aims to be prepared for the eventuality of a possible outbreak.
