The department of Health decided to move to the post-containment phase in some areas which means that patient with flu like illness will not be routinely swabbed but will be treated if they have the right symptoms suggestive of Swine flu or are in vulnerable groups. The ilness is relatively minor much like the common cold and deaths have been minimal so far but the fear is that patients in the vulnerable groups below are more prone to complications following a swine flu infection. It is also feared that the swine flu infection may gain strenght and numbers of deaths from the common cold increase this autumn and winter as the virus may thrive in the cold weather.

Vulnerable groups include:

-People with the underlying medical conditions that are considered to  
place them at risk for seasonal flu and receive a flu vaccine from their GPs.
-Patients with asthma that have been treated with any anti-asthma medicine within the past 3 years.
-Pregnant women.
-Children under 3 years.
-People over 65 years.

These are the group of our brothers and sisters who we are targetiing in particular and need to seek advice VIA THE TELEPHONE from their GP or NHS direct if they have a flu like illness. It is improtant to make sure that you check your own temperature and if it is more than 38C and you have a flu like illness, then you contact your doctor and discuss it with them. We are working on a symptom checker which we hope will be online on the HIB site for our brothers and sisters to use and determine appropriate action to be taken.

It is imparative for us to heed to the advice being offered to minise the spread of the infection now that the illness has escalated to this stage. It is important to avoid attending large congregations if you have any flu like illness as you are putting other vulnerable brothers and sisters at risk with your germs.

The advice to the general public remains much the same but more importantly, DON'T ATTEND YOUR GP SURGERY OR A&E/HOSPITAL APPOINTMENTS IF YOU HAVE ANY FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS. REARRANGE ANY ROUTINE MEDICAL OR DENTAL APPOINTMENTS BY TELEPHONE. We repeat the advice from the previous updates again:

-Please don't be under the misunderstanding that as pork if haram in Islam, then we have minimum chances to catch this illness. It spreads like the common cold.

-Catch it, Bin it, Kill it. Use a tissue, bin it after using it once and wash your hands with soap and water.

-Make sure children follow this advise as well.

-Avoid kissing and hugging unless necessary.

-Isolate yourself at home in one room if you develop symptoms. Avoid exposing other family members especially the elderly and children to your illness.

-Have a network of flu friends who will help you get supplies, fetch prescriptions and so on so you don't have to get out of the house.

- Stay at Home if you are unwell, phone NHS direct (0845 4647) or your doctor and don't visit the surgery or the A&E unless instructed or seriously ill. This way you avoid spreading the infection to other sick vulnerable patients.

-Call the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513 for the latest information.

There are now over 3600 confirmed cases across the UK, a majority of which is in Birmingham (1358) and London (760) as of 25/6/2009. We pray to Allah (SWT) to protect us in this difficult time and give good health to our brothers and sisters where ever they may be.