Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and Civil Defence encourage people to prepare now for the flu’

Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group and District Health Board are advising Hawke’s Bay people to prepare now for the increased amount of flu that will be in our community this winter.

Dr Caroline McElnay, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board's Medical Officer of Health said, "seasonal influenza is now circulating and the number of people with Influenza A H1N1 ‘swine flu’ is increasing.

While this new type of influenza will make only a relatively small number of people so sick that they need to be in hospital, it is predicted that up to half of our population could become unwell in the next few months."

"This will affect the daily lives and routines of people throughout Hawke’s Bay, ranging from possible school closures and cancelled sports matches to accessing health care in a different way and keeping a metre apart from people at the supermarket."

”Aside from preparing your household, the best things to do to protect yourself and your family from influenza are to follow simple precautions such as staying at home and away from others if you are sick, regular hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and cleaning household surfaces, particularly if one of your family is unwell” says Dr McElnay.

Andrew Newman, Hawke’s Bay CDEM Group Controller said, "Health services, local Civil Defence, emergency services and welfare organisations have been working together across Hawke’s Bay since the beginning of the current situation, to ensure that critical needs in the community are met during this pandemic. Individuals, families and community groups of all types need to be prepared to look after themselves and each other.

Advice for preparing for the flu:

• If you or a family member has the flu, you will probably need to stay at home for about a week. This will affect your daily routines.


• Ensure now that you have at least seven days of food and basic supplies at home or that there is someone who can get them for your household. This should include any baby supplies or pet supplies that your household would need important flu medication such as paracetamol to reduce fevers and enough of your everyday medicines to get you through.


• You may feel so unwell that you will be unable to care for people or animals you are responsible for. You need to plan alternative arrangements for their care now. Ask others in your family or community, friends or neighbours if they would be able to help you.


• Because you will be at home for a week, make sure you have power and gas for heating your home and cooking food.


• You may need help from other people when you are ill. Ask your friends or family, neighbours, colleagues or community group to assist you. When you are fully recovered, you can help others who are sick.

A family emergency plan checklist is available online at www.hawkesbaydhb.govt.nz

ENDS

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