The GHA has yesterday confirmed that there is now an established outbreak of Swine Flu in Gibraltar. Sixty-two cases have been confirmed to date and a further 51 are awaiting confirmation.

Within the past four weeks, all Influenza A cases have been confirmed as Swine Flu which means that person to person spread has now been confirmed in Gibraltar. The GHA therefore estimates that Gibraltar now has over 100 cases of Swine Flu.

“The GHA has until now been swabbing patients as part of its containment strategy.

Due to the fact that we now have an outbreak, swabbing is no longer indicated,” said a spokesperson.

The GHA has also implemented the next stage in its disease management plan as follows: (a) People with mild symptoms and no underlying medical condition (as outlined in the published Vaccination Programme) are advised to stay at home and take routine flu treatment; (b) People with mild symptoms but with underlying medical conditions are

advised to attend the PCC where the flu clinic has been expanded. People with moderate symptoms should also attend the PCC flu clinic; (c) People with severe symptoms (eg breathing difficulties) or people with moderate symptoms and an underlying medical condition should attend the A&E Department where patients will be segregated and treated.

“If in doubt please call the flu line at 200 44411 The GHA advises, however, that the best strategy is prevention. It considers that the best form of prevention is vaccination which is available at the Vaccination Centre as per the recently published schedule. Over 500 people have already been vaccinated in the first four days of this programme.

The number to call for vaccination queries is 200 61527 Primary prevention also includes avoidance of direct contact with an infected individual. Affected persons should avoid contact with others until the infective period has passed (at least 24 hours after the fever has subsided),” said the spokesperson.

Tamiflu and other antivirals are being prescribed by GHA doctors according to the International Guidelines. Therefore only the following categories of patients will be treated with antiviral therapy where the doctor deems this to be appropriate:

- Those with moderate or severe disease ? Those with mild disease if associated with risk factors.

- Anyone with an underlying medical condition who has been in close contact with an infected person will be offered antiviral treatment.

The GHA’s stock of Tamiflu has been released to the community pharmacies for dispensing. The pharmacies will only be allowed to use that stock to dispense GHA prescriptions. Special stock (infant formulation) has been allocated to the on-duty pharmacist.