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02/07/2009
Swine Flu Cases 'Could Reach 100,000 Per Day'
The number of swine flu infections in the UK could be in excess of 100,000 per day by the end of August, the Health Secretary warned today.
Speaking at the Commons today, Andy Burnham said the H1N1 virus is spreading to such an extent that it is no longer at the stage of containing the virus, and is now at the "treatment phase".
He told MPs that the 100,000 figure was a "projection", but added that scientists expected a "rapid rise" in cases over the summer.
"We have reached the next stage in management of the disease," Mr Burnham said.
"The national focus will be on treating the increasing numbers affected by swine flu. We will move to this treatment phase across the UK with immediate effect."
The announcement means the pandemic virus can no longer contained, as opposed to it becoming more deadly.
The Health Secretary said there was a "considerable" rise in swine flu cases last week.
"We have always known it would be impossible to contain the virus indefinitely and at some point we would need to move away from containment to treatment," he said.
"Cases are doubling every week and on this trend we could see over 100,000 cases per day by the end of August.
"The pressure on the system is such that it is the right time to take this step. Scientists can expect to see rapid rises in the number of cases."
Antivirals are to be offered to all those who have contracted the virus, with higher risk patients given priority, Mr Burnham added.
The Health Protection Agency today announced that a further 518 patients in England had been confirmed with swine flu, while the figure for the UK as a whole rose to 7,447.
Three people in the UK have so far died after contacting the H1N1 virus, however, they all had underlying health problems.
Problems are now UK-wide as, in Northern Ireland, it has just emerged that as many as one third of the population there could be infected with swine flu by the autumn.
The Stormont Health Minister predicted the shock statistic the day after a third NI child was diagnosed with the virus and just hours before the 34th NI infection was confirmed.
See: Swine Flu Numbers Rise To 34
(JM/BMcC)
Speaking at the Commons today, Andy Burnham said the H1N1 virus is spreading to such an extent that it is no longer at the stage of containing the virus, and is now at the "treatment phase".
He told MPs that the 100,000 figure was a "projection", but added that scientists expected a "rapid rise" in cases over the summer.
"We have reached the next stage in management of the disease," Mr Burnham said.
"The national focus will be on treating the increasing numbers affected by swine flu. We will move to this treatment phase across the UK with immediate effect."
The announcement means the pandemic virus can no longer contained, as opposed to it becoming more deadly.
The Health Secretary said there was a "considerable" rise in swine flu cases last week.
"We have always known it would be impossible to contain the virus indefinitely and at some point we would need to move away from containment to treatment," he said.
"Cases are doubling every week and on this trend we could see over 100,000 cases per day by the end of August.
"The pressure on the system is such that it is the right time to take this step. Scientists can expect to see rapid rises in the number of cases."
Antivirals are to be offered to all those who have contracted the virus, with higher risk patients given priority, Mr Burnham added.
The Health Protection Agency today announced that a further 518 patients in England had been confirmed with swine flu, while the figure for the UK as a whole rose to 7,447.
Three people in the UK have so far died after contacting the H1N1 virus, however, they all had underlying health problems.
Problems are now UK-wide as, in Northern Ireland, it has just emerged that as many as one third of the population there could be infected with swine flu by the autumn.
The Stormont Health Minister predicted the shock statistic the day after a third NI child was diagnosed with the virus and just hours before the 34th NI infection was confirmed.
See: Swine Flu Numbers Rise To 34
(JM/BMcC)
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28 May 2009
Swine Flu Cases Exceeds 200
More than 200 people in the UK have now been diagnosed with swine flu. The most recent cases include 13 children and one adult from Welford Primary School in Handsworth, Birmingham, which is already linked with 50 cases of the infection. The school is carrying out a "deep clean" while closed for half-term.
Swine Flu Cases Exceeds 200
More than 200 people in the UK have now been diagnosed with swine flu. The most recent cases include 13 children and one adult from Welford Primary School in Handsworth, Birmingham, which is already linked with 50 cases of the infection. The school is carrying out a "deep clean" while closed for half-term.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A rather cloudy morning, with a little patchy light rain or drizzle to start. Skies clearing and becoming dry and increasingly sunny in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry with prolonged clear spells through the evening and overnight. This will allow for some fog patches to develop in places overnight. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
