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Bupa launches UK’s first pandemic flu treatment service 28 September 2006 Bupa Wellness today launches the UK’s first pandemic flu treatment service, enabling organisations to protect their employees against the effects of pandemic flu. As part of Bupa’s new service, employees with pandemic flu symptoms will have rapid access to anti-viral treatments such as Tamiflu (known generically as oseltamivir). Tamiflu can be used to treat flu and acts by stopping it spread within the body. In order to be effective, Tamiflu needs to be taken within 48 hours of flu symptoms appearing, and ideally within 12 hours, making it essential that the treatment is dispensed quickly. “During a pandemic there is likely to be widespread disruption to business, so it is vital that companies have a contingency plan in place. Bupa’s service means businesses can quickly arrange treatment with an effective anti-viral such as Tamiflu to as many employees as possible,” said Martyn Anthony, head of specialist services at Bupa Wellness. Companies using Bupa’s service will also benefit from:
The UK is at heightened risk of pandemic flu because of the increasing spread of the avian flu virus, which usually only affects birds. It is thought that previous human flu pandemics have arisen from changes to the bird flu virus, making the recent virus which has been detected more likely to infect humans. Though currently relatively rare, there have been some instances of the bird flu virus passing from person to person. “If the virus changes, this could result in a new flu virus to which individuals would have limited immunity, enabling it to spread quickly. Mass international travel means that the spread is likely to be even more rapid than previously. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already warned that the world faces another flu pandemic, with one in four individuals likely to become ill.” Anthony added. During the last century there were three flu pandemics, the last occurring in 1968. During past pandemics, between 25 and 35 percent of the population were affected. A 2005 report from the World Bank estimated that pandemic flu could cost developed nations $550 billion. Since 2003, a growing number of cases of avian flu in humans have been reported in Asia and other countries, representing a significant concern that a new pandemic flu virus could emerge. For more information about the Bupa Wellness pandemic flu treatment service, please go to www.bupa.co.uk/wellness
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