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Swine flu strikes Rochdale Council staff

Date published: 14 July 2009

Swine flu has struck Rochdale Council staff – with six employees off work with the illness.

Workers from Telegraph House were sent home after contracting the illness, and an email is believed to have been sent round, warning of the outbreak.

Sources have told Rochdale Online that the first employee was diagnosed about 10 days ago.

Jane Silvester, Acting Head of Performance and Development at Rochdale Borough Council: “There have been a small number of cases in the council, which are all being dealt with following NHS guidance and all council services are operating as normal.

"Staff who have flu-like symptoms are being asked to stay at home and check their symptoms either on NHS Choices website or by talking to a GP over the phone.”

Comments

It's OK Jane Silvester saying that staff with flu like symptoms should stay at home - the council have also said that any absence due to swine flu will be treated like any other absence under the councils absence monitoring system .
This could mean being put on a monitoring period, or in some cases lead to dismissal.

What about educating people to not emulate their footballin g hero's, "No" spitting, always have a handkerchief handy, cover your mouth when you cough. These are simple things to do, and they help to stop the spread of disease. I have seen many people sneeze without even attempting to use a tissue,or handkerchief. Many people do not care who they infect.