12 June 2009
The first case of swine flu has been confirmed in Jersey. The patient, who is making a good recovery, has just returned to Jersey from abroad. Everyone who has been in contact with the patient has been informed and they are all well.
* For reasons of patient confidentiality, no further information will be released about the individual.
Jersey
’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr Rosemary Geller, said: “It’s important to stress that the virulence of this strain of flu has not increased with the pandemic alert level. Our first local patient is doing well and we are putting the final touch on the preparations we’ve been working on for the last four years.”
Consultant Microbiologist Dr Ivan Muscat said: “There is no evidence of person to person transmission in Jersey at the moment. Our surveillance and containment measures remain unchanged but are under constant review. As always we ask that individuals maintain good respiratory and hand hygiene.”
The Health Minister, Deputy Anne Pryke, said “I am confident that my team is doing everything necessary to contain the spread of Swine Flu on the island. I am receiving regular briefings and will ensure that there is continued vigilance and action is taken, as and when appropriate.”
Jersey doctors are being advised to test all patients with flu-like symptoms for Influenza A (H1N1), in particular anyone aged between 5 and 44 years with a fever of 38ºC or more and with symptoms including a cough, sore throat, headaches or joint pain. Anyone with flu-like symptoms should ask for a home visit from their GP rather than visit the surgery.
The special helpline set up to answer Islanders’ queries on Swine Flu will be open this weekend from 10am-1pm on Saturday and Sunday. It is also open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm and the number to call is 445566.
You can e-mail your questions to publichealth@health.gov.je or find out the latest information online.
gov.je