14 January 2010
The Chief Executive and top doctor at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust are encouraging local people to remain vigilant against swine flu, despite a decrease in the numbers of people falling ill with the virus.
Dr Jonathan Kwan, the Trust's Medical Director, said: "Data shows that the number of cases of swine flu across the UK is on the decrease. Less people are visiting their GP with flu-like symptoms and, locally, we are seeing fewer suspected cases of the illness in our hospitals.
"However, it is vitally important that local people continue to guard against the virus and take appropriate precautions. People who are more likely to become seriously ill with swine flu, such as those with respiratory conditions and pregnant mothers, are still being advised to have the vaccine."
Local people are advised to continue to take the following steps to reduce their risk of infection:
• always cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully;
• maintain good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and warm water;
• clean hard surfaces, such as door handles, frequently using a normal cleaning product.
Trust Chief Executive Samantha Jones recently had the swine flu vaccine. She added: "It's important to do all we can to help keep swine flu in check. People who work in hospitals have been asked to have the swine flu vaccine to help stop it spreading to patients, so I did. It didn't hurt and, despite the many rumours I had heard, it had no after effect.
"I would urge all local people to remain vigilant against swine flu, and for those who are being encouraged to have the vaccine to have it."
