What is pandemic flu?
Pandemic flu happens when a completely new flu virus appears in humans and then spreads throughout the world, infecting large numbers of people.
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Are we facing a new influenza pandemic?
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has defined six phases of pandemic alertness. On juNE 11l they declared a global pandemic (i.e. a move to Phase 6). Independent experts will continue to review the available evidence to determine any further developments.
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What are the World Health Organisation phases?
Phase | Description | Characteristics |
1 | Inter-pandemic Period | No new influenza virus subtypes detected in humans |
2 | Inter-pandemic Period | Animal influenza virus subtype poses substantial risk |
3 | Pandemic Alert Period | Human infection(s) with a new subtype, but no (or rare) person-to-person spread to a close contact |
4 | Pandemic Alert Period | Small cluster(s) with limited person-to-person transmission but spread is highly localised, suggesting that the virus is not well adapted to humans |
5 | Pandemic Alert Period | Large cluster(s) but person-to-person spread still localised, suggesting that the virus is becoming increasingly better adapted to humans |
6 | Pandemic Period | Increased and sustained transmission in general population |
| | UK alert levels 1. Virus/cases only outside the UK 2. Virus isolated in the UK 3. Outbreak(s) in the UK 4. Widespread activity across UK |
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What does the move to Level 6 mean?
Six is the highest level of alert. It is not a verdict on the severity of the virus; it does not mean that WHO thinks the virus has become more serious. It means that the extent of global spread now fulfils the definition of a pandemic.
A move to level 6 means that countries needed to be ready to implement pandemic plans immediately. At the time of WHO declaring a move to Phase 6, Scotland was already operating at a high level of preparedness so this move did not trigger a material change in response.
The move to Phase 6 may mean a change in schedule of delivery of the H1N1 vaccine, as it activates pre-existing contractual arrangements for securing pandemic vaccine and will cause adjustments to worldwide vaccine production timetables. This will mean that the UK receives supplies over a longer timeframe and we have factored that into our contingency planning.
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What planning has been carried out in Scotland and how advanced is it?
The World Health Organization has said UK planning for a flu pandemic is among the most advanced in the world. The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland have been working with partner organisations for a number of years to ensure that Scotland is in the best possible position to respond to a pandemic.
The Scottish Government published the Scottish Framework for Responding to an Influenza Pandemic in November 2007. It sets out the Scottish Government's strategic approach to dealing with an influenza pandemic and is relevant for all sectors. In addition, key organisations such as Health Boards have their own specific pandemic flu plans.
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What surveillance arrangements are in place to track cases?
Surveillance arrangements are already in place, agreed with Health Protection Scotland. Boards report to HPS on their daily figures to enable monitoring of spread across Scotland. This information has informed decision-making and planning at a national and internatinal level.
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What is the process for testing cases?
A great deal of work is going on to speed up the turnaround of suspected cases. Scientists have now developed a test that can exclude a diagnosis of swine flu within five hours. Now that more is known about the virus and its characteristics it will also now be possible to carry out these tests more quickly.
A swab can be taken from a patient in a healthcare setting or even in the home. It is then sent to a laboratory where it undergoes a chemical test to identify which basic Influenza grouping it falls into. The intention is to test for the presence of Influnza A - one of a number of Influenza virus groupings to which swine flu belongs.
Once it is know whether the sample belongs to the Influenza A grouping - combined with knowledge about the individual's movements (i.e. if they have travelled to one of the affected areas) and any symptoms - this can give an early indication that a patient may have swine flu, before in-depth genetic tests are carried out. It can also immediately rule out people whose sample is not from the Influenza A grouping.
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Now that WHO have declared a pandemic have all organisations activated their flu plans?
WHO has defined phases in the evolution of a pandemic that allow a step-wise escalation in planning, proportionate to risk. On June 11 WHO declared a global pandemic. In Scotland, this means all organisations should have activated their response plans when required.
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What support is the Scottish Government offering the wider business community?
The Scottish Government is engaging closely with business organisations and will continue to keep them informed of developments for the duration of the outbreak. Our focus remains on ensuring our key sectors and indeed all businesses are fully prepared to deal with the impacts of any outbreak. Reviewing existing HR policies for an influenza pandemic is an important part of planning. Additional protocols may be necessary for the employer to help staff understand the unique and serious implication of a pandemic. The guidance provides more detail on managing staff and absences, including practical measures managers and community care providers can take to mitigate the impact absenteeism has on services. It also contains information on occupational health and staff welfare issues.
The principal risk to the continuity of critical business functions in a pandemic is shortage of staff internally, and in partner organisations and suppliers.
Businesses will need to ensure that they have:
- Identified critical functions that must be maintained
- Identified the resources needed to deliver these, particularly staff with specialist skills, knowledge or authority
- Available information required by staff who might be required to deputise for others
- Arrangements in place to implement changes in work priorities and reassign resources in order to maintain critical services
- Arrangements in place to maintain effective communications with staff, customers and suppliers
Businesses should consider the effect of staff absences in suppliers and other businesses on which they depend and review advice from NHS concerning infection control measures in the workplace. They should ensure that staff are aware of guidance about when they should and should not go to work if they may have or have had influenza.
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What are the symptoms of pandemic flu?
Symptoms of pandemic flu are usually similar to seasonal influenza symptoms:
- Fever (high temperature)
- Tiredness
- Lack of appetite
- Coughing
- Sore throat
Some people may also suffer vomiting and diarrhoea.
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Is there a vaccine?
Yes. At-risk groups along with frontline health care workers with direct patient contact and social care staff will be among the first to be vaccinated. More information here: vaccination
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Is the seasonal flu vaccine effective against swine flu?
No. There is no firm evidence to suggest that the seasonal flu vaccine is effective against A H1N1. The UK Government and the Devolved Administrations have agreed to vaccinate 100 per cent of the population against pandemic flu. Those who receive the second flu vaccine should also take up the pandemic flu vaccine when it becomes available.
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