Government hopes good manners can stop flu

The government will try to change the hygiene habits of the nation later this year in hopes of staving off a flu pandemic by urging people to cover their nose and mouth when they cough or sneeze.



Vaccines would probably not be available in time for the first wave of a flu pandemic and there are real doubts that drugs the government has stockpiled will work, a London conference heard yesterday. But using a handkerchief might save lives, said Lindsey Davies, national director of pandemic influenza preparedness.

When a person with the flu sneezes, large droplets containing the virus can travel up to a metre through the air, she said. Hands also become contaminated. Her office wants to campaign on the old slogan of "coughs and sneezes spread diseases" to inculcate cleaner habits.

"For the autumn we are hoping to do something quite positive about this," said Professor Davies. "We will be encouraging people not to cough or sneeze without something over their face.