Information about the National Pandemic Flu Service

This information is intended to provide journalists, bloggers and owners of social media spaces with official information about the wind-down of the National Pandemic Flu Service.

Core Facts

The National Pandemic Flu Service was launched in England, in July last year, to provide assessment and treatment for people suffering from swine flu. With the number of swine flu cases now falling, the service will stop offering assessments at 1am on 11th February 2010.
If, after this time, you think you have swine flu symptoms, you should stay at home and contact your GP who will be able to assess you and authorise antivirals if you need them. Your GP will also be able to advise you on vaccination.
The symptoms of swine flu are a fever or a high temperature (over 38ºC/100.4ºF) and two of the following symptoms: unusual tiredness, headache, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath or cough, loss of appetite, aching muscles, diarrhoea or vomiting.
For up to date information visit www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu or call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513.

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Relevant Files

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Quotes

The Department is [...] announcing the decision to stand down the NPFS with effect from 1am on 11 February 2010.

This is being done in response to the steady reduction in the estimated number of swine flu cases in the community, and is in line with our overall aim of ensuring the operational response is appropriate to the level of threat posed by the virus. General practitioners and primary care trusts have indicated that they can now manage the clinical caseload themselves.

We will continue to monitor the spread of the swine flu virus, and, should it become necessary, the NPFS can be re-activated in seven days.

Gillian Merron, Minister of State for Public Health