New Strain Respiratory Virus Policy - Hampshire Hospitals NHS ...

Winchester & Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust
New Strain Respiratory Virus Policy
into the UK but there is a well-developed laboratory based surveillance, which
will help identify the pandemic strain as early as possible.
Once introduced into the UK, pandemic strains are likely to spread widely in
the UK within 2 - 3 weeks of first arriving in the country, peaking at around 6
weeks and likely to last for about 3 - 5 months. There may be a second wave
of infection a few weeks or months later and this may be more severe.
All ages may be affected but children and otherwise fit adults may be at
relatively greater risk if older people have residual immunity from past
exposure to similar stains. This will depend on the nature of the pandemic
strain.
A pandemic will place considerable pressure on health and social services
due to the number of patients requiring treatment, a reduced workforce due to
illness and the general disruption that is likely to occur.
In a worse case scenario around a quarter (25%) of the population or more is
likely to develop infection. Depending on the use of anti-viral drugs and how
quickly a vaccine becomes available over 50,000 deaths could occur in the
UK. The expected hospital admission rate is expected to rise by at least 50%
and this will be higher if the attack rate is predominantly in the elderly.
A pandemic will impact on all sectors of the community through the illness
itself and the consequences of staff sickness, travel restrictions, reduced
transport and deliveries etc. Viruses tend to spread rapidly in schools and
other closed institutions.
People are likely to be advised not to travel to affected areas abroad or attend
international gatherings such as large conferences and sports events. Later,
depending on how the pandemic develops, it may be necessary to limit nonessential
travel and discourage mass gatherings of people.
There will be regular updates on the television, radio and in the national
press, telling people what is happening and what to do. People with mild to
moderate symptoms will be advised to stay at home. Help lines will be
available for advice which will include:
• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, using a tissue
• Promptly and carefully throw the tissues away into the rubbish – “bagging
and binning”.
• Wash your hands often – especially after coming in from outside
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Avoid non-essential travel and mass gatherings as far as you can
• Make sure children follow this advice
Authorities
Document Control Information
Author: Sue Daiilly Lead Nurse Infection Type:
Policy
Control
Sponsor: Paula Shobbrook Director of Infection Scope:
Major
Prevention and Control
Reference:
CP104
Issue Number: 2
Date May 2010 Status: Final
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