Key messages from the Government during a pandemic will be that people who are well should carry on with normal, essential activities as far as possible; at the same time taking personal responsibility for self-protection. Those who are unwell, or think they are unwell should take social responsibility to lessen the spread and thus help protect others.

Transmission of the pandemic virus from person-to-person will be through close contact. The balance of evidence suggests that the most important transmission routes will be through large droplets (e.g. from coughing and sneezing) and through direct and indirect contact with infected people. Airborne or fine droplet transmission may also occur.

Alongside the key message to people to continue their everyday (essential) activities as normal will be messages encouraging personal responsibility for self-protection and social responsibility to lessen spread and thus protect others. The key public health messages will be:

If you do catch flu:

• Stay at home and rest
• Take medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol to relieve the symptoms (following the instructions with the medicines). Children under 16 must not be given aspirin or ready made flu remedies containing aspirin.
• Drink plenty of fluids

You can reduce, but not eliminate the risk of catching or spreading influenza during a pandemic by:

• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully – bag and bin them
• Avoiding non-essential travel and large crowds wherever possible
• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, or to other people.
• Cleaning hard surfaces (eg, kitchen worktops, door handles) frequently, using a normal cleaning product
• Making sure your children follow this advice.

These measures are for your own health and to avoid spreading the illness to others.

More detail can be found in the full under the Government response section.

Following the recent cases of avian influenza in Scotland and Norfolk, visitors and the industry should be reassured that it is safe to visit a place where there are birds and, more generally, that the countryside is open.