For the majority of healthy people, ‘flu this winter remains an unpleasant illness for several days, followed by full recovery.  This is no different from the usual winter ‘flu every year.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) and NHS North East have advised that although the level of ‘flu-like illness is continuing to rise, it is below the epidemic threshold.  Both the swine ‘flu and seasonal ‘flu viruses are circulating in the north east.

It is important that we all remember to ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it!’ if we sneeze to help reduce transmission of the virus.  If you are actually diagnosed with ‘flu, please stay off work and follow medical advice and normal sickness absence reporting procedures.

A very small proportion of people infected are ill enough to require hospital care. A disproportionate impact has been identified on people in clinical ‘at risk’ groups (those with chronic lung, heart, kidney, liver or neurological disease, immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus and patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years) and pregnant women.

As such, the HPA/NHS strongly recommend vaccination to those in clinical ‘at risk’ groups and pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy.  We have been advised that this is available via GPs.

The Council has already offered the seasonal ‘flu vaccination to staff in identified key front line services (i.e. social care workers, relevant employees in schools etc.) but take-up has been low to date.  We still have vaccine left for people in these groups and they should contact their manager and / or their Departmental HR Team to make the relevant arrangements.

The Council will continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate measures.