SWINE FLU LATEST

04-12-2009

News that someone in our region has died from swine flu this week is a stark reminder that the peak season for such illnesses is fast approaching. Here’s the latest advice from West Midlands NHS.

NHS West Midlands has confirmed that one person with swine flu has died this week. This means the total number of deaths where there has been a positive test of swine flu in the West Midlands is 32. 62.5% of these were under 45 years of age whilst 84% of the deaths were patients with a pre-existing underlying condition.

Dr Rashmi Shukla, Regional Director Public Health, NHS West Midlands, said: “We would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this patient. This sad news reminds us that even though most cases of swine flu are mild, it can be serious and potentially fatal and the people of this region should remain vigilant in helping prevent the spread of the virus. The message is simple – catch it, bin it, kill it”.

189 people with swine flu have been admitted to hospital this week compared with 207 last week. 89 inpatients with swine flu were being treated in hospital as of 2nd December).

Latest figures released yesterday show that the numbers of people presenting at GPs across the region with flu-like illnesses has fallen slightly this week, although there are variations in parts of the West Midlands. The number of people attending GPs with flu-like symptoms has increased in parts of Staffordshire, whilst they have fallen in some parts of Birmingham.

The public vaccination programme continues in the West Midlands and GPs are offering the vaccine to those patients who fall into one of the groups identified as most at risk from swine flu.
This includes:

• People aged from six months to 65 years in current seasonal flu risk groups
• All pregnant women
• Those living with people with compromised immune systems, for example those receiving cancer treatment
• People aged over 65 in the current seasonal flu risk groups

The National Pandemic Flu Service, which ensures people with flu or flu-like symptoms get the right advice and help, has to date assessed almost 216,500 people from across the region. It can be contacted by telephone at 0800-1513 513 or by visiting www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu. Anyone with flu-like symptoms will be given a unique access number which will allow their flu friend to collect a course of antivirals at a nearby collection point.

Dr Shukla added, “Good basic hygiene practice is particularly important at this time of year, to protect people against the viruses we see circulating during the winter months. Washing your hands thoroughly, covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze and disposing of tissues promptly can prevent the transmission of illnesses, not only swine flu, but seasonal flu, norovirus and other stomach bugs circulating in the community.

“The NHS continues to vaccinate those most at risk of developing severe illness. We would advise patients to wait until contacted by their GP for their vaccine, but if they have flu-like symptoms before this time they should get advice from the National Pandemic Flu Service.

“Pregnant women are also considerably more likely to develop serious complications from swine flu. The risk of complications (including miscarriage and premature labour) is highest during the later stages of pregnancy. For mothers-to-be having the swine flu vaccine now can help them protect themselves and their babies”.

National Pandemic Flu Service: 0800-1513 513, direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu.