Weekly Swine Flu bulletin
Thursday, 15 October 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 9 October (Week 41) and gives a good representation of the level of flu activity across Northern Ireland.
Key points from the bulletin are as follows:
- GP consultations for flu and flu-like illness have increased considerably (by 37%) this week to 222 per 100,000, and remain highest in the 5-14 age group;
- Out of Hours calls for flu and flu-like illness have also increased for a sixth week in a row and also remain highest in the 5-14 age group;
- There were 119 new cases of laboratory confirmed swine flu during week 41– this represents a 59% increase on the previous week and is the highest weekly number reported to date;
- The total number of laboratory confirmed cases in Northern Ireland as at noon on 14 October was 565;
- Antiviral prescriptions have increased to 1100 during week 41 compared with 750 courses prescribed in week 40; a total of 13,122 antiviral prescriptions have been issued at noon 14 October;
- The number of cumulative swine flu hospitalisations is 280 as at noon on 14 October 2009; there has been a decrease in the number of new hospitalisations from 61 in week 40 to 34 in week 41;
- There have been four deaths related to swine flu.
The full weekly flu bulletin is available at www.dhsspsni.gov.uk and www.nidirect.gov.uk
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said: “At present our level of flu continues to be much higher in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK and is at the highest rate ever recorded in Northern Ireland.
“Our primary care services and hospitals continue to cope well despite the demand on their services and I want to thank staff for their tireless efforts and professionalism in meeting increasing pressures.
“We have experienced a fall in the number of hospitalisations this week. The rate of hospitalisation is usually reflective of the previous weeks GP consultation rates therefore as our consultation rate has increased this week, it would not be unexpected to see hospitalisations increase again next week. I want to reassure the public however 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.
“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!”
For further information visit the nidirect website, 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 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.
2. 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.
3. The Northern Ireland swine flu helpline number 0800 0514 142 is a freephone helpline for those who want more information about swine flu. Textphone 18001 0800 0 514 142.
4. The UK-wide flu information line on 0800 1 513 513 provides regularly updated advice on swine flu. This is also a freephone number.
5. Further information about swine flu can be found on the DHSSPS website and nidirect.
6. 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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