Swine Flu Kills Two More

Two more NI people have fallen victim to swine flu.

This week's Department of Health swine flu bulletin - which includes data for the week ending Friday 13 November - revealed that officials had been notified of the deaths of two adults, both of whom tested positive for swine flu, bringing the total of swine flu related deaths within NI to 13.

However, the data also showed that GP consultation rates for combined flu and flu-like illnesses decreased again from just over 226 to 106 per 100,000 population, which is a 53% decrease.

GPs reported that 'out of hours' calls for the illness have also decreased by 39% and said that 78 swine influenza detections of A/H1N1v were made in Wk 46 - compared to 153 in Wk 45 (49% decrease).

There is now a cumulative total of 1,265 swine influenza detections in Northern Ireland as at noon 18 November 2009 and a total of 545 hospitalised swine flu cases although the number of new hospitalised cases decreased from 50 in Wk 45 to 24 in Wk 46 (52% decrease).

It is also noted that antiviral prescriptions have decreased from 1,374 in Wk 45 to 857 in Wk 46 (38% decrease).

The total number of antivirals issued is 22,103 as at 10am on 19th November.

NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: "Sadly, we have been notified of the deaths of two adults who have tested positive for swine flu.

"I would like to express my sincere sympathy to the families of these patients. We should all now respect their privacy and allow them to grieve in peace for their loved one," he said.

However, the Minister continued: "The further decrease in consultation rates in the past week suggests that our preparations and plans are working. However, swine flu still continues to circulate in the community and is particularly affecting the under fives.

"The response to phase one of the vaccination programme has been very encouraging. Once the priority groups are vaccinated by mid-December, phase two of the vaccination programme will be rolled out across the UK.

"As part of this, children over six months and under five years will be offered the vaccine through GP practices.

"The public have a major role to play in this pandemic, not only looking after themselves, but those they come in contact with by getting the vaccine when it is offered to them. It is the best way for people to be protected against swine flu," he concluded.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said: "While figures are very encouraging, we should be mindful that swine flu is still circulating in the community.

"The Minister has announced that once priority groups have been completed, that phase two of the vaccination programme will commence with children aged six months–five years.

"Any further extension of the programme will depend on the evolution of the pandemic – how it is behaving overall and any emerging clinical data."

(BMcC/KMcA)