Weekly swine flu bulletin
Thursday, 10 December 2009The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has today published the weekly flu bulletin.
The bulletin includes data for the week ending Friday 4 December (Week 49) and gives a good representation of the level of flu activity across Northern Ireland.
Key points from the bulletin are as follows:
- GP consultation rates for combined ‘flu/ FLI have decreased this week from 99.2/100,000 population in Week 48 to 74.9/100,000 population (24% decrease). Rates are now similar to the same week last year.
- The number of RSV detections decreased from 35 in Wk 48 to 28 in Wk 49 (20% decrease), however levels of RSV activity remain high.
- Out of hours calls for ‘flu/flu like illness have decreased from 272 in Wk 48 to190 in Wk 49 (30% decrease).
- 14 swine influenza detections A/H1N1v in Wk 49 compared to 33 in Wk 48 (58% decrease).
- A cumulative total of 1,338 swine influenza detections in Northern Ireland as at noon 9 December 2009.
- A cumulative total of 570 hospitalised swine flu cases as at noon on 9 December 2009.
- The number of new hospitalised cases increased slightly from 8 in Wk 48 to 9 in Wk 49 (13%increase). Five of these admissions (56%) were in the 0-4 age group.
- There have been no swine flu related deaths reported in week 49. The total number of swine flu related deaths remains at 13.
- Antiviral prescriptions have decreased from 586 in Wk 48 to 362 in Wk 49 (38% decrease). The total number of antivirals issued is 23,434 as at noon on 9 December 09.
The full weekly flu bulletin is available on the www.dhsspsni.gov.uk and www.nidirect.gov.uk/swine-flu.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said:
‘I am very encouraged by the continued decrease in the key indicators. We are now experiencing the same level of flu activity as this time last year. This general downward trend of the figures is very encouraging and suggests that our preparations and plans are working.
“When we look more closely at the key indicators, we see that swine flu continues to circulate in the community and is particularly affecting the under fives. Of nine new hospitalised cases this week, five of these were in children under five. This highlights the need to vaccinate these young children as soon as soon as possible.
“We continue to make excellent progress on phase one of the vaccination programme. The response has been very encouraging. In Northern Ireland, at least 200,000 people have been vaccinated. Once the priority groups are vaccinated by mid-December, phase two of the vaccination programme will be rolled out across the UK.
“The public have a major role to play in this pandemic, not only looking after themselves, but those they come in contact with by getting the vaccine when it is offered to them. It is the best way for people to be protected against swine flu.”
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said:
"The numbers of people receiving the swine flu vaccine continues to increase. I want to pay tribute to the work of many staff in Trusts and primary care who have worked so hard to deliver this programme. Planning this programme has been a major undertaking and I am also very appreciative of all those from a wide range of organisations who have worked together to make this possible.
“Vaccination remains the most effective way for people to protect themselves from swine flu. Our figures suggest that we have almost completed the initial priority groups and are now ready to move to phase two of the vaccination programme. Children aged from six months up to five years will now be offered the vaccine. We know that they are more likely to be admitted to hospital and that many of them do not have underlying health conditions.
“Final arrangements are being put in place for this phase of the programme and children will be called for vaccination. I would strongly encourage parents to take up this offer and get their young children vaccinated. Any further extension of the programme will depend on how the pandemic evolves and our experience of how the virus is behaving.
"As well as accepting the vaccine when it is offered to you or your child, simple but effective hygiene measures such as frequent hand-washing can also help. Remember to cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then put the tissue into a bin – catch it, bin it, kill it!
“I would like to reassure the public that for the vast majority of people, swine flu remains a relatively mild illness from which you will make a full recovery.
"If you think you have swine flu stay at home, please do not visit your GP practice, pharmacy or A&E in person. People with underlying health conditions who are at higher risk of complications if they develop influenza should call their GP for advice and assessment for antivirals. This includes people with long-term conditions such as diabetes or chronic lung disease. In addition, pregnant women who develop flu-like symptoms should phone their GP promptly. Likewise, parents of children under five years should call their doctor if their child develops flu-like symptoms.
"For otherwise fit and healthy people, there is usually no need to take antivirals. Most people will recover at home by taking simple measures to alleviate symptoms such as resting, taking paracetamol and drinking plenty of fluids. If, however, your condition suddenly deteriorates or is getting worse after seven days (five for a child) then you should contact your GP or out-of-hours service."
For further information visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/swine-flu or call the Northern Ireland swine flu helpline on 0800 0 514 142 (9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday); textphone 18001 0800 0 514 142. Information is also available on the swine flu information line 0800 1 513 513.
Notes to editors:
1. The clinical priority groups for the swine flu vaccination programme were identified by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). They are prioritised as they are at greatest risk of complications if they become infected with swine flu, and hence the initial focus on protecting individuals in these groups.
The priority groups for the swine flu vaccination, in order of priority are:
- Individuals aged six months and up to 65 years in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups;
- Pregnant women;
- Household contacts of immunocompromised individuals;
- People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups.
Frontline health and social care workers are also amongst the first to be offered the vaccine.
2. The second phase of the vaccination programme was announced on 19 November and will include children from six months up to five years old. This move follows advice from the JCVI and is expected to begin as soon as all the priority groups have received their vaccinations.
3. The UK has moved to a treatment phase in relation to managing the swine flu pandemic. This means that our focus is on treating those people who actually have swine flu and in particular those at higher risk of developing complications. In addition, the routine testing of suspected cases and the tracing of close contacts of a symptomatic patient has been discontinued. The level of flu in the community is therefore being monitored using a range of surveillance mechanisms through GP practices, Out of Hours centres, antiviral prescriptions and hospital surveillance systems. This enables us to monitor flu levels and identify trends in activity.
4. Some groups of people are more at risk of serious illness if they catch swine flu. Those with:
- Chronic lung disease
- Chronic heart disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic neurological disease
- Immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Patients who have had drug treatment for asthma within the past three years
As well as:
- Pregnant women
- Young children under five years old
- People aged 65 years and older
It is vital that people in these higher risk groups contact their GP for assessment and if advised to start antivirals should start taking them within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
5. The Northern Ireland swine flu helpline number 0800 0514 142 is a freephone helpline (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) for those who want more information about swine flu. Textphone 18001 0800 0 514 142.
The UK-wide flu information line on 0800 1513 513 provides regularly updated advice on swine flu. This is also a freephone number.
6. Further information about swine flu can be found on the www.dhsspsni.gov.uk and www.nidirect.gov.uk/swine-flu
7. Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0575. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
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