Dr Diana Grice, Director of Public Health for NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald and NHS Hastings and Rother, and Peter Hayward, Acting Director of Public Health for West Sussex PCT, said:
Two further cases of Swine Influenza have been confirmed in Sussex (See notes below)
NHS East Sussex Downs and Weald and NHS Hastings and Rother are assisting with a confirmed case of Swine Influenza in a child from East Sussex.
West Sussex Primary Care Trust are assisting with a confirmed case of Swine Influenza in a child from West Sussex.
Both are linked to an ongoing investigation into an outbreak in a boarding school in Berkshire.
The children are currently being treated with anti-viral drugs at home.
NHS ESDW, NHS HR and West Sussex PCT are working closely with the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to ensure that any close contacts of this case are offered anti-viral drugs as a precautionary measure.
All parents of students at this school were written to by the HPA on May 30, offering antiviral medicines as a precautionary measure to help limit the spread of the virus among pupils and staff.
NHS ESDW, NHS HR and West Sussex PCT have established plans in place to deal with cases of swine flu.
Advice remains for individuals who have flu-like symptoms and have recently returned from swine-flu affected countries, or been with someone who has, to:
Stay at home to limit contact with others and contact your GP by phone or NHS Direct on 0845 4647
Please do not go into your GP surgery, or to a hospital, as you may spread germs to others.
Unless you have flu-like symptoms and/or are being tested for swine flu, there is no need to stop your normal everyday activities, such as going to work or school.
The single most effective action the public can take to protect themselves and others from infection is correct respiratory and hand hygiene practice.
These simple steps will have a major role to play in slowing the spread of any strain of influenza. Children should be encouraged to follow this advice.
Reduce the risk of catching or spreading flu:
CATCH IT - Always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Always cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
BIN IT - Germs can live for several hours on tissues. Dispose of your tissue as soon as possible.
KILL IT - Hands transfer germs to everything you touch. Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of germs.
Clean hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
To read the latest official advice and find out about the simple steps you can take to help protect yourself and others www.nhs.uk or call the Swine Flu information Line on 0800 1 513 513. Further information about swine flu can also be found on the HPA website www.hpa.org.uk/swineflu
Notes
There are four confirmed cases of swine flu in Sussex
West Sussex - 1 child
Brighton & Hove - 1 adult
East Sussex - 1 adult and 1 child
