Dr Diana Grice, Director of Public Health for NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald and NHS Hastings and Rother, Dr Tom Scanlon, Director of Public Health for NHS Brighton and Hove and Dr Peter Hayward, Acting Director of Public Health for West Sussex PCT, said:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared that we are now in Pandemic Phase 6.
This means that we are entering a pandemic period and there is increased and sustained transmission.
However, announcing WHO Phase 6 does not reflect the current situation in the UK where we have outbreaks which are neither widespread nor sustained in the general population.
At present this does not trigger any change to our response.
Currently there are 79 confirmed cases in the South East region, and 822 confirmed in the UK.
The localised cases of swine flu found in the UK have so far experienced mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery, and the spread has been limited.
However, a small minority have been more severe.
The national and local NHS has been preparing to respond to such a situation for five years, and West Sussex PCT, NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald and NHS Hastings and Rother, and NHS Brighton and Hove continue to work closely together and with the Health Protection Agency and other partners to monitor the situation, and to respond accordingly.
If you do have any concerns about swine flu please call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513513.
Further information is also available on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk.
If you are experiencing flu like symptoms please stay at home and contact your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for advice.
Please do stay at home and do not visit your GP as you risk spreading the virus to others.
Everyone can reduce the risk of catching or spreading swine flu by maintaining good basic hygiene, such as always covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully and regularly washing your hands.
