Weekly swine flu bulletin
Thursday, 14 January 2010The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has today published its weekly flu bulletin.
This bulletin includes data for week ending Friday 8th January (Wk 1) and gives a good representation of the level of flu activity across Northern Ireland.
The key points are as follows:
- GP consultation rates for combined ‘flu/ Flu like illness (FLI) have decreased this week from 55.5 in Wk 53 to 48.8/100,000 population in Wk 1 (12% decrease).
Rates remain below the Northern Ireland threshold for seasonal influenza activity.
- Out of hours calls for ‘flu/FLI decreased this week from 234 in Wk 53 to 162 in Wk 1 (31% decrease).
- Four swine flu detections in Wk 1 compared to 3 in Wk 53.
- A cumulative total of 1,358 swine flu detections in Northern Ireland as at noon 13 January 2010.
- A cumulative total of 578 hospitalised swine flu cases as at noon on 13 January 2010.
- The number of RSV detections decreased from 93 in Wk 53 to 48 in Wk 1 (48% decrease).
- There were three new hospitalised cases reported in Wk 1.
- No new swine flu related deaths have been reported in Wk 1. The total number of swine flu related deaths remains at 17 as at 13 January 2010.
- Antiviral prescriptions have increased from 48 in Wk 53 to 90 in Wk 1 (88% increase). The total number of antivirals issued was 23,971 as at noon on 13 January.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Elizabeth Mitchell said: "This week has seen a further decrease in swine flu detections and also in RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) detections which can cause flu-like symptoms. GP consultation rates remain below the Northern Ireland threshold for seasonal influenza activity and are now lower than this time last year. Although antiviral prescriptions increased this week, the actual numbers are now very small compared with at the height of the outbreak.
"Swine flu has now been circulating within Northern Ireland since May 2009. We have seen two waves of infection from the virus and our planning and preparation has meant that the likelihood of a further wave has been significantly reduced. This is due in part to the extent in which the virus has already circulated in the community, and also as a result of the very successful vaccination programme in Northern Ireland.
“The programme for children aged six months to five years is now well underway and I would encourage all parents to take up the offer of the vaccine for their child. The vaccine remains the best way to be protected against swine flu.
"We know from experience of previous pandemics that flu viruses can be unpredictable so we can not completely rule out the possibility of a further wave. We will therefore continue to monitor the situation carefully and adapt our plans accordingly.”
Dr Mitchell continued: "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 nidirect, 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. Phase two of the vaccination programme for children from six months to five years was announced on 19 November 2009 and is currently well under way.
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 DHSSPS website and nidirect.
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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