Swine flu outbreaks continue to fall

DESPITE fears that children returning to school after the long summer holidays would see an increase in outbreaks of swine flu across Warrington, reported cases across the North West are continuing to fall.
Reported flu like illnesses in the last week have fallen by more than half. The GP consultation rate per 100,000 population for Northern England for flu like illnesses fell to 4 from 11 last week.
The same rate for England as a whole is down to 8.6 from 11.8; and the Health Protection Agency estimates that there were 3,000 new cases of swine flu in England over the past seven days.
The number of assessments by the National Pandemic Flu Service for people in the North West on September 9 was 1,026 (down from 1,118 on 3 September); the number of anti-virals collected on September 9 was 522 (down from 582 on 3 September).
In-patient activity has also fallen: there are 21 in-patients with flu-like symptoms, down from 27 a week ago; 7 are classed as critical, down from 9 last week; 17 have underlying health conditions, up from 16 last week.
The majority of people who have had swine flu so far, have described mild to moderate cold or flu-like symptoms.
Some of the symptoms are the sudden onset of fever, cough or shortness of breath. Other symptoms can include headache, sore throat, tiredness, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, runny nose or a loss of appetite.
Anyone who thinks they may have contracted the swine flu virus can contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on-line at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu or call 0800 1 513 513 for information or 0800 1 513 100 for treatment.
If you have think you could have swine flu and have chronic lung, kidney or heart disease, are over 65, are pregnant, or if you have a child under five with symptoms, you should telephone your usual GP service rather than use the National Pandemic Flu Service.
If you are taking anti-viral medication and your symptoms fail to improve after a few days, or get suddenly worse, telephone your GP for advice.