News: Swine influenza daily update: 26 November 2009
26 November 2009, National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS)
Swine Flu Daily Update
Issued at: 11am Thursday 26 November 2009
Spread and extent of the outbreak (information as at 5pm on 25 November)
· The NPHS influenza surveillance scheme, which records reports of diagnoses of flu from more than 300 GP practices across
· The report from 24 November estimates there were 37.9 cases of a flu-like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 people in
· The report also shows levels of influenza activity in each
· GPs are no longer being asked to swab people they suspect may have swine flu. Microbiology laboratories are therefore no longer testing most people suspected of having swine flu.
· The latest weekly swine flu report from the NPHS and Welsh Assembly Government, containing information on laboratory-confirmed cases of swine flu, hospitalised cases and swine flu-related deaths, can be found online. A new report is issued every Thursday.
· The rates of GP consultations for flu-like illness across the
o 36.0 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs in the previous seven days out of every 100,000 people in
o 35.9 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs in the previous seven days out of every 100,000 people in
o 119.4 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 people in
o 106.5 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 people in
· 214 people in the
· For the latest international figures for the spread of swine flu, visit the website of the World Health Organization at www.who.int
Comment from the National Public Health Service for
- Dr Roland Salmon, Director of the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, National Public Health Service for
“The number of people contacting their GP with flu symptoms has stalled and started to decline slightly over
“The vaccine against swine flu has been tested and approved. It 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 do so, 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 be admitted to hospital or to call a doctor. 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."
Links to further information on pandemic flu in
Public health advice and messages
Guidance for health professionals