Bahrain – Swine Flu update 11 October 2009

The Ministry of Health report over 450 confirmed cases of H1N1 in Bahrain and there have been 6 deaths so far.  Our assessment is that the Bahraini Government is prepared, and has sufficient infrastructure to cope with a wider outbreak. The Bahraini authorities have taken sensible precautionary measures to minimise the spread and impact of the disease, screening where possible and ensuring stocks of Tamiflu.  

If you are in Bahrain and have flu like symptoms you should visit your local clinic in the first instance.  High-risk patients (children, elderly or chronic illness) will be referred to the Kanoo Centre.   Milder cases are to be treated with Tamiflu and remaining isolation at home.   The Ministry of Health Swine Flu hotline numbers are: 17243183, 17246769, 17277248.

The Embassy is in regular contact with the Ministry of Health.  There are currently no plans to close Bahrain’s borders.  There are no domestic or international travel restrictions. British national’s planning on making the Pilgrimage to Haj and Umra should seek advice from their travel provider.

Recent Ministry of Education announcement has affected the opening of all schools.  We recommend you contact your relevant school to check their situation. Secondary school children have now returned with Primary school children returning over the next two weeks and Reception and Kindergarten children due to return in early November. Official advice on how to deal with H1N1 remains hygiene focused (See bellow). We would ask that everyone ensure they are checked for H1N1 as soon as possible if they believe they have the virus, and in those situations, by keeping their contact with others as limited as possible.

The number of confirmed cases of Swine Flu (H1N1) across the world continues to grow. The World Health Organisation's current pandemic alert level is Phase 6. This is characterised by human-to-human spread of the A(H1N1)Swine Flu virus in more than one WHO region. The alert phase refers to the geographical spread of the pandemic, not its severity.

About to travel overseas?

If you are looking for advice on how swine flu might affect your travel plans, you should consult the travel advice for the country concerned; it would also be wise to subscribe for email alerts that will notify you of any changes prior to travel. If you are overseas and are seeking specific advice on the country in which you are located you should also consult our travel advice.

NB-Medical screening for the Swine Flu virus (H1N1) has been introduced by local authorities at some airports for passengers arriving on international flights. You may be required to undergo further tests if you show flu-like symptoms. Containment measures may be introduced or changed with little or no notice.

Some countries have put quarantine measures in place for people travelling from affected countries, or in one case at a hotel where an infected person had been staying. British nationals who find themselves quarantined overseas should contact their nearest British Embassy/High Commission/Consulate who will be able to offer consular assistance, though access may be limited due to the quarantine restrictions.

Advice for travellers

Before you travel

During travel

After you travel

How we can help

British nationals overseas

The UK response

General information

Before you travel

• If you have swine flu, do not travel until you are no longer showing symptoms [opens in a new window].
  
• Check to see if your destination is reporting cases of swine flu. You can look on the NaTHNaC website for up-to-date case totals [opens in a new window].
• Stock up on waterless alcohol-based hand gels.
  
• You should also consider:
• • whether you need to go to a swine flu affected area
  • the risk of getting swine flu at your destination
  • the level of medical care including access to anti-viral medications in thee vent you need treatment for an influenza-like illness (fever plus twoor moreof cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches or headache).

• You should receive appropriate vaccines and other preventive measures for your destination. This includes seasonal influenza vaccine if you comeunderthe recommended risk groups (see NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet on Influenza [opens in a new window])
• You should obtain comprehensive travel health insurance, and clarify any exclusions to coverage 
• You should also check the policy of your carrier or tour operator on transporting people who are ill, or who have been exposed to ordiagnosed with theA(H1N1) Swine Flu virus.
  

During travel

Influenza is transmitted via the respiratory route and you should exercise sensible precautions:

• Follow public health guidance at your destination.
• Avoid crowding or mass gatherings.
• Where possible avoid close contact with persons who are ill with an flu-like illness.
  
• Wash hands with soap and water; use waterless alcohol-based hand gels when soap and water is not available.
  
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes, to prevent the spread of germs.
  
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue promptly. 
• Keep hard surfaces (e.g. door handles, countertops) clean using a normal cleaning solution. 
• Ensure that children follow similar advice.
• Swine flu has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and cooked pork and pork products.
• There is little evidence of the effectiveness of wearing masks, However, properly fitted special grade masks can be worn in situations such as health care settings.
• If you fall ill whilst overseas (especially with flu-like symptoms) you should seek medical assistance. Where possible the British Embassy/High Commission/Consulate should be able to provide British nationals with details of English-speaking doctors and information on the local availability of anti-virals.
  

After you travel

Travellers who have visited affected areas should monitor their health for seven days after the visit. If you develop a flu-like illness with cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache or muscle aches, within seven days you should:

• check your symptoms [opens in a new window] via the direct.gov.uk website [opens in a new window] or via the relevant telephone helpline
• limit contact with other people
• cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue promptly
• wash hands with soap and water
• keep hard surfaces (e.g. door handles, countertops) clean using a normal cleaning solution.
  

How we can help

We are working closely with the Department of Health and other areas of HMGovernment. We have provided a dedicated free phone number for all British nationals overseas to call if they are concerned about the current Swine Flu outbreak: +44 207 928 1010.

As far as possible, we will continue to deliver a consular service for British nationals resident or travelling overseas through our network of Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates, although there may be a limited service in some places affected by swine flu, depending on the scale and severity of the outbreak. An ychange to thelevel of service we can provide, will be reflected in our travel advice for that country.

NB:Staffin our Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates may not be able to make personal visits to those infected with Swine Flu, nor can we provide any medical treatment (including anti-virals).

Where possible and practical our Embassies, High Commissions and Consulate shave beenasked to update their own websites with Swine Flu related advice andguidance.

If you are living or are travelling overseas, please register on LOCATE so that we will be able to keep you informed of any significant changes in our travel advice.

British nationals overseas

If you live in a country affected by swine flu, you should monitor ourtraveladvice and, as with other medical matters, assure yourself ofyour own healthcare arrangements. This might include obtaining accesstoanti-viral medicine. If you have any concerns over your own health, you should seek medical advice.

British nationals working overseas should speak to their employers about plans they have inplace. Such plans may include access to anti-viral treatment for employees and/orrepatriation to the UK.

The British Government will not be in the position to offer evacuation of British nationals inthe event of an influenza pandemic.

Many countries may have limited availability of anti-viral drugs. Our Embassy/High Commission/Consulatestaffmay be able to provide advice on the availability of local medicines or healthcare, but we cannot provide medical treatment (includinganti-viral medication).

The UK Response

The Department of Health website [opens in a new window] gives further information on what the UK is doing in response to the outbreak. The Health Protection Agency[opensin a new window] has provided advice on measures which can betaken toprevent infection. General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of allviruses,including the human swine influenza.

NHS Choices

For guidance specific to the UK, more information is available from the Directgov website.

General information

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is coordinating the global response tohumancases of swine influenza A (H1N1) and monitoring the corresponding threat of an influenza pandemic. Comprehensive advice and information onthe current situation can be found on the WHO website.

More information is available from:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H1N1 Flu (Swine flu)

NaTHNaC Country Information pages