At a press conference in Belfast recently, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Health Agency stressed the best way to avoid catching swine flu is to follow good hygiene practice, particularly regular hand washing, and the use of tissues when coughing or sneezing.
With this in mind ProKick have several bottles of Hand Gel available throughout the gym and are urging members to use these. Tissues are also on hand and if used must be binned.
Any members who think they or a family member or indeed someone they have recently been in contact with, have any cold or flu like symptoms to please refrain from attending the gym just on the short term until they are certain it is not swine flu or influenza.
If you have contracted swine flu, under no circumstances should you attend the gym and must notify instructors immediately for your own safety and the safety of other members most importantly the ProKick Kids.
Note to ProKick Kids Parents: Please adhere to the above as we do not want to cause embarrassment to your child by asking them to return home if they arrive at class displaying any symptoms. Unfortunately we have to be especially cautious in the kid’s classes for obvious reasons.
This applies to all ProKick members.
Dr Michael McBride, chief medical officer, warned it is likely that Northern Ireland will see an explosion in the number of cases of swine flu in coming months.
So far, Northern Ireland has escaped the worst of the spread of the virus in comparison to England and Scotland, but Mr McBride said he believes it is “inevitable” the numbers of cases will rise.
“Northern Ireland and Wales have not experienced such an impact as yet, but it is likely we will experience pressure in future as the number of cases will vary across the UK at different points of time.
“We were fortunate that we got to the end of the school year with only one school having to be shut. However, we don’t know why this is and to say otherwise would be pure speculation.”
The total number of swine flu cases in Northern Ireland has now reached 58 but there have been no related deaths.
The symptoms of swine flu are broadly the same as those of ordinary flu, but may be more severe and cause more serious 
complications.
They include:
* fever
* cough
* sore throat
* body aches
* headache
* chills
* fatigue
Some people have reported diarrhoea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
For more information on Swine Flu click here to visit NiDirect
Northern Ireland Swine Flu Helpline 0800 0514 142 - (8am - 8pm) Daily
UK Flu Information Line 0800 1 513 513 - (24 hour) Daily
Comments
Its Mad that this is actually here, like who would ever have thought that here in the 21st century we would have a pandemic…
And although us Prokickers have a reputation for hardness, I reckon we do need to all make that extra effort with our own hygene and when dealing with the public..
Complacency can lead to other things…
I suppose we do all have a responsibility to overselves and our families, and need that extra effort to help stop any possible cross contaminations occuring..
I for one will be using the alcohol based liquid cleaners as from tomorrow in my shop as i deal with the public…
Extra Hygene now, decreases any possible threat..
M.
By Mark1 on 26 Jul 2009