The Screwdriver Center

The announcement of the UK government to shift from the containment phase to treatment phase in dealing with the swine flu pandemic, which is based on its acceptance that its spread cannot be stopped, may have some important repercussions. The most direct result of the move is likely to be the suspension of tracing of contacts of confirmed cases and use of anti-viral to reduce the spread.

The anti-viral will still be available for people with genuine H1N1 infections but the doctors need to exercise their discretionary power to ensure that people with common cold and cough or general fear are not administered the anti-viral.

The other most visible change brought about by this move will be the end of routine testing and the start of surveillance whereby infection numbers will be reported from all regions on a weekly basis.

Scotland was the place to have detected the swine flu first in the UK. Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Health Secretary has said that the increasing number of cases prompted the shift in phase, also stating community transmission as the other reason. She, however, dispelled any fears of the virus getting any stronger, by saying that the authorities thought that they could deal better with the current situation if there is a shift from containment to treatment.

Andy Burnham, Health secretary for England seemed to agree with Nicola Sturgeon as he informed that the ever-increasing number of people suffering from the pandemic had provided the ground for a phase change. He also said that the number of swine flu infected cases could reach 100,000 by the end of the August and admitted that they always knew that it was impossible to control this pandemic beyond a certain point.

For information on courses accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, click on IOSH Managing, on training to help improve your health and safety management system by teaching you to identify and implement appropriate workplace precautions for specific risks or seek advice on workplace precautions.