Advice over swine flu outbreak

Shropshire's health trusts are now giving advice on how people can help reduce the risk of swine flu spreading.

The websites of Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust, Shropshire County Primary Care Trust and NHS Telford & Wrekin also carry a series of questions and answers.

• Do you know anyone who thinks they have had contact with the virus, or have you heard of any suspected cases? Email us here

The trusts say that general infection control practices and good hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza.

These measures include:

• Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

• Disposing of dirty tissues carefully.

• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water .

• Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently.

• Ensuring children follow this advice.

The trusts say that symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing.

Antiviral drugs reduce the length of symptoms and usually their severity.

Meanwhile, British pork is perfectly safe to eat, according to Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.

Speaking to the Shropshire Star, he said there was no evidence of swine influenza in UK pigs. He said: "We have obviously been doing surveillance on pigs here in the UK.

"The advice from the Food Standards Agency is crystal clear – there is no risk at all from eating domestic products."