West Nile virus contingency plan published by CMO
A contingency
plan against West Nile virus infection was published this week by the Chief Medical Officer.
The plan defines who would be responsible for tackling the mosquito-borne
disease should an outbreak occur in the UK. The risk of the virus spreading
to the UK is considered to be low but cannot be ruled out, according
to the CMO.
Pharmacists are not specifically mentioned in the report but raising
public awareness about avoiding bites is. The report recommends that
insect repellents containing 30 per cent DEET or less are used, along
with other measures such as covering exposed skin at dawn and dusk, and
sleeping in a screened room.
The publication coincides with malaria
awareness week, which runs from
31 May until 6 June. It aims to encourage travellers to seek advice from
a pharmacist, practice nurse or GP before travelling to a country where
malaria is endemic.
Letters, p704 |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal
Acrobat
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