Improving surveillance of MRSA bacteraemia

Infection control would be challenging too because, unlike SARS, flu is highly infectious before patients develop definite symptoms. The public would be told that "coughs and sneezes spread diseases" and advised on hand washing, using paper tissues rather than handkerchiefs, and social distancing. he epidemic of bird flu has stimulated countries to develop plans for a future human pandemic. The spectrum of clinical illness from pandemic flu cannot be predicted accurately, and guidelines for the public and health services will probably change with experience. Doctors should visit the Department of Health website now and at least read the advice relevant to them. They may not have time when a pandemic starts.