Flu update – Hygiene and other personal protective measures for reducing transmission of influenza in the home and community.

This paper outlines published advice (interim recommendations) on personal protective measures for reducing transmission of flu drawn up by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). The advice is intended to apply both to human seasonal flu and in the event of pandemic influenza. The ECDC recommendations are based on the currently available evidence on the transmission characteristics of influenza and the evidence of effectiveness of measures as summarised in a number of reviews and are compatible with recommendations already put forward by WHO. Eurosurveillance 2006, Volume 11