4/12/2009

Swine flu deaths have risen to 25 in Wales - but the number of people who test positive for swine flu, as a proportion of all those being tested, is falling.

At the moment, about one in every ten people tested for swine flu actually has swine flu.

Nine out of ten people tested do not have swine flu, but often have another infection such as the common cold or seasonal flu virus, said Dr Roland Salmon, Director of the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, National Public Health Service for Wales.

The NPHS influenza surveillance scheme, which records reports of diagnoses of flu from more than 300 GP practices across Wales, shows that the rate of influenza consultation remains stable.

The report from 2 December estimates there were 33.5 cases of a flu-like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 people in Wales –the equivalent of 1,005 people in Wales contacting their GPs in the last seven days with flu like symptoms.

Not all of these people will have swine flu and not everyone with flu like symptoms will contact their GP.
The report also shows levels of influenza activity in each county of Wales. On 2 December the rate of diagnosis of flu-like illness at a local level ranged from 13.4 per 100,000 people in Anglesey to 57.5 per 100,000 people in Carmarthenshire.

265 people in the UK with swine flu have died – 25 in Wales, 178 in England, 49 in Scotland and 13 in Northern Ireland. The majority had underlying health conditions.

Dr Salmon said: “The number of people contacting their GP with flu symptoms across Wales as a whole remains stable at a level that we would expect to see at this time of year.

“GPs involved in the NPHS influenza surveillance scheme have continued to test people they think may have swine flu. The results show that there are other illnesses circulating in the community, with symptoms very similar to swine flu.

“The number of people who test positive for swine flu, as a proportion of all those being tested, is falling. At the moment, about one in every ten people tested for swine flu actually has swine flu. Nine out of ten people tested do not have swine flu, but often have another infection such as the common cold or seasonal flu virus.

“Nevertheless, flu is still circulating so I still strongly advise people to be aware of the symptoms of swine flu and of the steps that can be taken to prevent its spread.

“The vaccine against swine flu is now being offered to people at most risk of complications from the virus as well as front line health and social care workers. Vaccination is the most effective tool we have in preventing swine flu so I urge people identified as being at risk to look out for their invitation to be vaccinated by their GP surgery.

"People with flu-like symptoms should stay at home, observe good respiratory and hand hygiene and stay away from GP surgeries, Accident and Emergency departments and pharmacies unless advised to attend, which will also help to limit the infection's spread.

“People with flu like symptoms should check their symptoms on www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk or by calling the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513.

“Most people will get better at home with rest, plenty of fluids, and medication such as paracetamol. Antiviral medications are available for individuals who are at particular risk from flu, or for people who become very ill.

“If symptoms worsen or people have underlying health problems they should call their GP. Most people make a full recovery from swine flu without needing to call a doctor or to be admitted to hospital. However, a few people go on to develop complications and as the pandemic continues we are seeing deaths from swine flu in Wales, just as we do most years from seasonal flu."