ME/CFS and H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu)
For latest news (20th July 09) supplied by the ME Association, UK go to http://www.meassociation.org.uk/content/view/927/198/
"The Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon...announced that Australia has developed a new response phase to manage the outbreak of H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Influenza) called PROTECT....a new pandemic phase has been created to guide the ongoing Australian response to the disease"
The STATE site no longer gives the daily numbers on the front page but advises on how to protect yourself and your family:
http://www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu/index.asp
NATIONAL LATEST NEWS AND LINKS ABOUT SWINE FLU STATUS
http://www.healthemergency.gov.au/internet/healthemergency/publishing.nsf/Content/home-1
1. Please stay from support group meetings away if you have any signs of respiratory symptoms (coughing, sneezing, blowing nose excessively), unusual fever or chills, or have been in recent contact with someone just returned from overseas. "Respiratory" does not mean other "flu-like" symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, headaches, dizziness, sweats, aches, bowel problems (unless any are markedly different from your normal CFS symptoms) because we all know about these!
2. Normal safe hygiene practices should be followed, i.e.:
- Hand washing and drying before the meeting (toilet is nearby; anti-bacterial hand gel can be used but swine flu is a virus not a bacteria).
- please cover face if sneezing or coughing o dispose of tissues straightaway in bins
- wash hands after sneezing, coughing or blowing nose