I wish I hadn’t bothered as the reaction, or ‘need to be seen to be doing something’ is generally accepted as having been yet another incredibly expensive political disaster area.

You give flu a name and it automatically makes it scary. Of course, advertising people know all about it – it’s called ‘branding’, after all, William is sweet without “The Conqueror”.

I scanned their press release and thought we might have discovered a new brand of flu (at the bottom), until I realised that it said “Got Flu?” and not indeed Goat Flu as I read it.

—–Original Message—–
From: Ben McKnight [mailto:Ben.McKnight@london.gov.uk]
Sent: 20 July 2009 20:34
Subject: NEWS RELEASE – Boris Johnson meets with health and public services to discuss swine flu

GLA/2009/395

Monday 20 July 2009

PRESS RELEASE

Mayor meets with health and key public services to discuss swine flu

London Mayor Boris Johnson has met with bosses of London’s health and key public services at City Hall to discuss the potential impact of swine flu on the capital. Despite mounting public concern officials reassured the Mayor that London was coping well and fully prepared for the ongoing challenges of the outbreak.

The Mayor said: ‘I’d like to thank the police, firefighters, transport workers and London’s medical staff for their calm and professionalism in confronting swine flu. There are obvious challenges, but I have been reassured tonight that everything is being done to support and respond to the needs of the general public, businesses and services in the capital. I’m also pleased to hear that adequate stocks of Tamiflu available and that the supply we released to the NHS earlier this year is being used.’

The Mayor was informed that there are 63 viral activation points already in operation around London, which could be increased to 240 at 48 hours notice. He was also told that each PCT has a full time flu resilience officer in place and that swine flu has already been factored into this year’s NHS plans for the winter.

The Mayor’s advisor on health Pam Chesters added: ‘Today’s meeting underlined the efforts being made by all the different agencies providing services in the capital. TfL are confident they will be able to keep services running, as are the police and the fire services. This is a multi-agency issue and we will continue to work together to mitigate the impact of swine flu.’

Information has also been sent to 80,000 members of the public on the Greater London Authority database, including the following:

How do I know if I have swine flu?

• For most people, swine flu is a slightly milder version of the seasonal flu virus. Sufferers can expect to feel a range of flu-like symptoms such as fever, coughing, headaches, sneezing, running nose, muscle ache and sore throat.
• You can check your symptoms on the NHS Direct website, or call the swine flu information line on: 0800 1 513 513.
• If you are still concerned, call your GP, who can provide a diagnosis over the phone.

I think I have swine flu. What should I do?

• If you are a healthy adult and you start to feel flu-like symptoms, the current advice from NHS London is to stay at home and use over-the-counter flu remedies to relieve the symptoms.
• For young, pregnant or elderly people or those with underlying health conditions, then it is recommended that you (or someone close to you) call your GP.

What can you do to help the situation?
It is thought that swine flu is spread in a similar way to the seasonal flu virus, which is from person to person through coughing and sneezing and by touching objects that have the virus on them from an infected person. You cannot catch swine flu from eating pork-based products.

You can help reduce the chances of transmission by practicing good hygiene, including:

• Covering nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing
• Putting dirty tissues in the bin straightaway
• Washing hands frequently with soap
• Keeping hard surfaces clean

Download latest advice from NHS London:

Got Flu? Stay at home: www.london.nhs.uk/swineflu

Find out more
For more information, you can call the swine flu information line on: 0800 1 513 513, or find up-to-date advice on the following websites:
NHS
Directgov (government website)
NHS London
Health Protection Agency (HPA)
Department of Health
London Prepared

On a visit to the HPA’s National Institute of Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) Johnson learnt that researchers have sequenced the full genetic code of the virus. This is critical in understanding how the virus operates and identifying the crucial parts of the virus that can be used in vaccine manufacture.

Researchers hope that European manufacturers will be able to take delivery of candidate vaccine prototypes in the coming months so preliminary steps to mass vaccine production can begin.

The NIBSC is the only centre in the UK and one of a handful around the world developing vaccine prototypes for the European vaccine manufacturers. In the US, efforts are focused through the Centre for Disease Control.

In July 2007, the Government signed advanced supply agreements, which will enable the UK to purchase up to 132 million doses of pandemic specific vaccine, when it becomes available. The advanced supply agreements are worth £155.4 million over four years. Under these contracts, GSK and Baxter are committed to supplying a pandemic influenza vaccine as soon as the pandemic strain is identified and made available by the World Health Organization.

The HPA researchers will also work with sister organisations to compare the characteristics of this virus with other samples to gain a greater understanding of how flu infects people and how it can quickly change to evade our immune systems.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson said:

“A significant step towards protecting the world’s health against swine flu has been taken.

“The speed with which vaccine prototypes can be created to combat potential pandemics is testimony to the dedication and world-class expertise of Health Protection Agency researchers.

“We have been preparing for the possibility of a pandemic for some time. We now look to the vaccine industry to produce the required quantities of vaccine as quickly as possible.”

Professor Maria Zambon, Director of the Health Protection Agency’s Centre for Infections, said:

“We are continuing to learn more and more each day about swine flu. The pure sample of virus that we have isolated, together with its genetic fingerprint, will be important resources as scientific organisations join forces on the development of an effective vaccine.

“The rapid assessment of this virus will ultimately help us to make future decisions regarding the health implications of swine flu.”

Pig Flu Out of Control

Hundreds of Brits will get swine flu in weeks

Outbreak raises fears for hundreds of children

No doubt stories like these will help sell a few more papers but they’re not much use if you really want to know what’s happening. Here are a few less sensational more measured views:

Mayo Clinic Swine Flu Advice

UK Government Swine Flu Heath Protection Advice. Includes a video, describes precautions to take with links to travel advice.

NHS . Important Information about Swine Flu

NHS: How to check your symptoms if you think you have swine flu.

Plus a map showing the extent of the swine flu outbreak and a video from the Mayo Clinic which provides answers to your questions about swine flu.