NHS Herefordshire and Herefordshire Council have asked all residents to remain vigilant and take all necessary hygiene measures to prevent the spread of swine flu.

At present there are no confirmed cases of the infection in the county, although there have been cases in neighbouring Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) remains at level 5 today and the primary care trust, the council and the county hospital are prepared in case a pandemic (level 6) is declared.

A Public Health Incident Team was established on Monday last week.

A Swine Flu Incident Room and a Herefordshire Flu Helpline is set up at NHS Herefordshire’s offices in Hereford and these will be activated in the event of a pandemic.

Both the primary care trust and the council have begun to switch staff from their normal duties to support preparations, such as staffing the flu line and helping to manage the distribution of anti viral medicine, while ensuring that the other usual health and council services are maintained.

Director of public health Dr Akeem Ali is Herefordshire’s lead on the issue.

"In Herefordshire, it is important that we do not become complacent," he said. "There is so much that is not yet known about the virus and how it spreads, so we must continue to be prepared for a possible pandemic, whilst hoping for the best. Everyone can continue to take a few simple steps at home, at work or at school to maintain good respiratory and hand hygiene.

"Always use a tissue to catch your sneezes, throw away used tissues where germs can linger and regularly wash your hands."

In Herefordshire, the authorities have been sending out regular updates to community groups, schools, youth clubs, residential homes, businesses, GP surgeries, dentists and pharmacists.

The Department of Health has launched a Swine Flu Information Line – 0800 1513513 - which contains pre-recorded messages giving background to the disease and what we can all do to prevent its spread. It will refer callers who need more assistance to NHS Direct Everyone in Herefordshire will shortly receive a swine flu information leaflet, as part of a national door drop, which is expected to take place from now, with 17 May being the final date for the entire distribution.

People can get copies of the leaflets immediately, however, by downloading them from www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu. GPs have been asked to download copies of the leaflets and display them in their surgeries.

The council and the primary care trust are making translations of the flu leaflets available on their web sites to help migrant and seasonal workers stay healthy too.

To keep the public informed a mass public health campaign has started with TV and radio. The adverts remind people of the measures they can take to contain the spread of swine flu.

Information for public can be found on: www.nhs.uk and www.hpa.org.uk - as well as on the council’s website www.herefordshire.gov.uk and the primary care trust web site http://www.herefordshire.nhs.uk The advice is, if you have come back from Mexico or one of the affected countries, and have flu like symptoms, stay at home and call your GP or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

There are simple steps that people and their families should take to help prevent catching colds and flu: 1. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue.

2. Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.

3. Maintain good basic hygiene - wash hands often with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people.

4. Clean hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) often using a normal cleaning product 5. Make sure your children follow this advice.

Public events within the county are expected to go ahead as planned – such as the Hay Festival.

The government is not advising avoidance of mass gatherings and there are no restrictions in place. However, NHS Herefordshire stresses that it is important that people attending events should continue to take the hygiene measures designed to protect everyone from the virus, including washing their hands frequently and covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

The position will be reviewed if the situation changes.

Preparations for holding local and European elections will proceed as planned. This will be kept under review in liaison with EU partners.

Schools and other children’s services are expected to be operating as usual at present and have been alerted to additional guidance on planning for, and responding to, pandemic flu. Schools and other children’s or young people’s services are asked to download and display the government flu leaflet on notice boards.

Higher and further educations colleges will not be advised to close even during a pandemic.

Local businesses can obtain more specific advice from www.businesslink.gov.uk - which signposts to relevant guides on developing continuity plans.

The Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform website also has good information on www.berr.gov.uk