Find yourself a swine flu friend, says PCT (From Oxford Mail)

Find yourself a swine flu friend, says PCT

8:02pm Monday 6th July 2009 in

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HEALTH chiefs were tonight urging people to choose a ‘flu-friend’ in a bid to limit the spread of swine flu across the county.

The number of cases in Oxfordshire stands at 52 and the county’s primary care trust wants to stem the rate of infection. But the figure is expected to soar in coming weeks, according to Health Secretary Andy Burnham.

Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is advising people to establish a network of relatives, neighbours or friends to collect anti-viral medication, food and supplies if they catch swine flu.

Anna Hinton, of the PCT’s infection control team, said the idea was to stop swine flu victims going outdoors, which would help restrict the spread of the disease.

She said: “The nature of a pandemic flu is that it will spread steadily upwards. There is no way of telling who will catch the flu, so it’s vital to plan ahead.

“If you have swine flu, don’t go out in case you spread the illness to others. Ask a flu-friend to go out for you.”

Ms Hinton said it was a good idea for individuals to select up to five flu-friends.

She said: “We want people to think about how they will look after themselves if they get flu.”

Swine flu lives for about 24 hours on hard surfaces and 15 minutes on soft furnishings. It is also spread by coughs and sneezes.

Ms Hinton admitted there was a “small risk” anyone acting as a flu-friend could contract the illness themselves.

But she added: “This can be reduced by staying at arm’s length and washing your hands.”