Swine flu breaks out at Oldham company

THREE members of staff at the same Oldham firm have been diagnosed with swine flu.

The administrative staff at H20 water services, in Huddersfield Road, have been recuperating at home after their diagnoses, which are believed to have been confirmed at the weekend.

Four further members of staff are also off work at the firm, which employs around 40 people, but it is not known whether their illnesses are related to swine flu.

The firm is part of the national H20 company, which fits meters on behalf of United Utilities, and their work regularly takes them into people’s homes, including those of the elderly but it is believed that the affected staff do much of their work over the phone.

H20’s development director David Brown said: “We have been stepping up hygiene standards in the office by making anti-bacterial wipes available and hammering home the standard Government message about throwing away tissues once you have used them.

“We are encouraging any members of staff who have symptoms to stay away, but, other than that, we are carrying on as normal.

“The combination of holidays and illness has put a bit of pressure on and we have put an automated answer facility on our phone which allows customers to leave a message.

“Some staff are putting in overtime, but we’re getting through it.”

Hugh Lamont, spokesman for the Health Protection Agency in the North-West, confirmed that a change in Government policy, which came into place last week, means that the HPA is no longer logging each case of swine flu, because people with symptoms are now being diagnosed by GPs, rather than laboratory tests.

He said: “If someone is given medication, even if they recover in three or four days, we would advise them to stay off for the minimum seven days, but in general, there is no cause for panic.

“If you live in a house with someone who has swine flu, as long as you have no symptoms yourself, you can carry on as normal, just as you can if you’re feeling fine, but your workmate has been diagnosed.

“We are trying to normalise the situation and people should remember that the majority of cases are very mild, with people feeling ill for around three to four days.”