Scotland Records First Swine Flu Death
23 June 2009A 38 years old woman died recently in a hospital in Scotland due to swine flu, though the Scottish government said that she was suffering from other health problems as well. This is especially pertinent considering that this is the first recorded death by swine flu in the UK, coming after the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a swine flu pandemic around the world.
Professor Maria Zambon, Director of the HPA’s Centre for Infections, said that the present state of the virus shows that it is less severe than was expected with the H5N1. In most people, it is a mild infection and is not fatal. However, it may get worse as flu viruses are notoriously unpredictable. Thus, the Centre is trying to keep track of it at least in the UK to ensure that they can issue a proper response to it. First aid training is essential for all organisations in the UK - click on First Aid Training at Work - to undertake an approved HSE course provided by experts at WorkPlace Law. For employers, the provision of a fully qualified first aider may help you meet the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid at Work) Regulations and assist in the recognition of major and minor illnesses amongst your staff.
Zambon also said that the disease is being found more among the young population of the country. Since it is a new virus, people have not developed proper immunity against it which is making it easier for the virus to attack. .
The Centre also said that normal practices used to control infectious diseases will help prevent its spread. Good respiratory hand hygiene will also be helpful. Measures suggested by the Centre include good hygiene habits like washing hands frequently to stop the spread of the disease, cleaning hard surfaces more often with good cleaning agents, covering one’s mouth and nose while sneezing, proper disposal of dirty tissues etc. The Centre said that these should be followed by both adults and children.
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