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Church handshake ban in flu worry Church downplays flu worry advice
(about 2 hours later)
Catholic worshippers in Wales are urged not to make "heroic" efforts to attend mass if they have flu-like symptoms. Catholic church leaders in Wales are playing down advice suggesting people should not shake hands during services so as not to risk spreading swine flu.
Bishops also say parishioners should not shake hands during services in order not to risk spreading swine flu. A note handed to some worshippers in south Wales urged people not to make "heroic" efforts to attend if unwell.
A newsletter advises churchgoers to make a small bow when saying "peace be with you" during mass rather than offer a handshake that "may be refused". But a church spokesman said a priest should speak to a congregation rather than give written instructions and only when he "feels that he has to do so".
Wales has 71 confirmed swine flu cases but will not be part of the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS). He said church advice would be based on that from the assembly government.
Catholic leaders are giving the advice in the diocese of Menevia, which includes Swansea, Neath, Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, south Powys and Carmarthenshire. Wales has 71 confirmed swine flu cases but will not be part of the National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) being launched in England on Thursday.
The newsletter says the diocesan bishop want to suggest ways to "help reduce the possibility of spreading the virus and in particular lessen people's anxieties".
Services in the area are to cease weekday communion from the chalice.
Wales is 'well behind the curve' of UK swine flu, says its health minister
It also suggests "communicants give serious thought to receiving Holy Communion in the hand rather than on the tongue".
Communion is the act of celebrating Eucharist, generally considered to be a commemoration of the Last Supper.
During the ritual, worshippers eat a small piece of a form of bread and may take a sip of wine from a chalice, both of which have been consecrated.
A spokesman for the Catholic Archbishop of Cardiff, Peter Smith, said no statement had been issued across all parishes in Wales but specific advice would be given "when the time is appropriate".
Health Minister Edwina Hart has said Wales is "well behind the curve compared to areas of England" for the number of swine flu cases.Health Minister Edwina Hart has said Wales is "well behind the curve compared to areas of England" for the number of swine flu cases.
The National Public Health Service for Wales estimated around 1,335 people had contacted their GP to complain of flu-like symptoms, but not necessarily swine flu, in the week to 5pm on Saturday 18 July.The National Public Health Service for Wales estimated around 1,335 people had contacted their GP to complain of flu-like symptoms, but not necessarily swine flu, in the week to 5pm on Saturday 18 July.
A pandemic flu service will be be activated in England on Thursday, but people in Wales should still contact their GP or the swine flu helpline if they are concerned. Wales is 'well behind the curve' of UK swine flu, says its health minister
Some worshippers in the south Wales diocese of Menevia attending mass on Sunday had been given a note advising them not shake hands during services in order not to risk spreading the swine flu virus.
The note advised churchgoers to make a small bow when saying "peace be with you" during mass rather than offer a handshake that "may be refused".
The diocese includes Swansea, Neath, Cardigan, Pembrokeshire, south Powys and Carmarthenshire.
But a diocesan spokesman said it had been left to parish priests individually to advise congregations on "standard instruction for any illness" as they deemed it appropriate.
He said there had been "no instruction from the bishop" and advice should have been given verbally rather than being printed out.
He added: "It's causing a bit of a panic if it's written down when it shouldn't have been."
NHS Direct can be contacted on 0845 46 47NHS Direct can be contacted on 0845 46 47