Dear all

SWINE INFLUENZA: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?

Many of you may have seen in the news that the WHO is currently co-ordinating the global response to human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. We thought that members of the community might welcome a communication from me about the outbreak and a reminder of our standing advice on preparing yourself for possible pandemics.  Please do feel free to pass this letter on to your British friends in case they have not received it separately (and see also information on registering on-line).

Although there is no evidence or report of any swine flu case in Vietnam, we should all take precautions and keep ourselves updated. Having lived with previous outbreaks here of Avian Influenza, many of you will be used to these protocols. The best way for you to keep in touch with expert advice is  by visiting the WHO website http://www.who.int and follow their advice on containment, prevention and treatment.

You might want to take this opportunity also to consider your own healthcare arrangements in the event of any outbreak. This might include obtaining access to anti-viral medicine (eg Tamiflu).  If you are working here, you may also want to speak to your employers about plans they have in place for their employees (which may include access to anti-viral treatment for employees and/or repatriation to the UK).   If you are having trouble tracking down medical providers, our staff can provide contact numbers. But we cannot provide medical treatment (including anti-viral medication).  As a precaution and as good general practice, you should also ensure that your travel documents are up to date and readily available.

The WHO advises that we always follow good practice in respiratory and hand hygiene.  Measures include:

- covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
- Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
- Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of any virus or other germs from your hands to face or to other people.
- Cleaning hard surfaces (eg door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
- Making sure your children follow this advice.

Currently, there is no indication of the outbreak having spread to Vietnam, but the situation is clearly developing quickly.   The Foreign and Commonwealth Officer headquarters in London and its overseas network of Embassies and Consulates-General will be watching developments closely.   Any changes to travel and other advice will be reflected on the FCO’s website (www.fco.gov.uk) and which will have a dedicated page on Swine Flu.  We will also ensure there are links to updates from the Embassy website  (http://ukinvietnam.fco.gov.uk).

Finally, can I take this opportunity to encourage any of you who have not yet registered online on our registrations database, LOCATE, to do so?   Even if you registered in person at the Embassy some while ago, you should register again on-line. The process will provide you with a password that will allow you to update your own records so that the FCO will always have up to date information about where you are and how we can contact you.   Please go to the following website for details and to register:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/Locate/

Yours sincerely

Mark Kent

Mark Kent
British Ambassador

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