Weekly swine flu bulletin
Thursday, 18 February 2010The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has today published its weekly flu bulletin.
The bulletin includes data for week ending Friday 12 February (Wk 6) 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 from 36.8 (updated) in Wk 5 to 20.9/100,000 population in Wk 6 (43% decrease). Rates are similar to the same week last year and remain well below the Northern Ireland threshold for seasonal influenza activity.
- Out of hours calls for ‘flu/FLI increased from 42 in Wk 5 to 75 in Wk 6 (79% increase).
- Five swine flu detections in Wk 6.
- A cumulative total of 1,367 swine flu detections in Northern Ireland as at noon 17 February 2010.
- There was one new hospitalised case reported in Wk 6.
- A cumulative total of 577 (updated) hospitalised swine flu cases as at noon on 17 February 2010.
- No new swine flu related deaths have been reported in Wk 6. The total number of swine flu related deaths in Northern Ireland remains at 18 as at 17 February 2010.
- The number of RSV detections decreased from 11 in Wk 5 to 9 in Wk 6 (18% decrease).
- Antiviral prescriptions have decreased from 22 in Wk 5 to 14 in Wk 6 (36% decrease). The total number of antivirals issued was 24,144 as at noon on 17 February.
The Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has said that people in Northern Ireland should still remain vigilant about swine flu.
He said: "I welcome that news that consultations for flu and flu-like illness remain at a low level for this time of year. The public should not become complacent and forget about what they can do to protect themselves from swine flu and other respiratory viruses. This is the time to reinforce the hygiene messages and I would ask everyone to remember the message: Catch it! Bin it! Kill it!
"The vaccination programme is still ongoing and the high uptake rates which I announced last week are a testament to the hard work of many, many people throughout our health and social care organisations and in primary care.
"Once again, I would urge people such as those in at risk groups, pregnant women and the under 5's who have not yet been vaccinated to get their vaccination.
“This is the first time in the history of a global pandemic that we have had a vaccine available. There is no doubt that the vaccine has helped to keep the virus at a relatively low level and it has helped to prevent severe illness and deaths, particularly in those with underlying medical conditions.
"In preparing for this pandemic, I have always taken the advice of the scientific and medical experts about how to deal with any emerging situation. I will continue to take their advice."
The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said: "We are now seeing a fluctuation in our consultation rates and other indicators from week to week. While it is reassuring that we are not seeing a third wave of infection, the fact that we have had five swine flu detections in the past week indicates that the virus is still in circulation. It has not gone away.
"Although swine flu is now circulating much less widely in the community it should be remembered that the virus itself has not changed. This means that people are less likely to come in contact with the virus, however for those who do become infected, the virus poses just as much risk as it has done all along.
"For that reason, I want to emphasise how important the vaccine is especially for those in the at risk groups. The vaccination programme includes children aged from six months to five years. This age group has seen the highest rate of hospitalisations during the pandemic, it is therefore vitally important that parents make the decision to have their children protected. I am pleased to report that parents are still bringing their children in this age group forward for vaccination. This brings the uptake rate to 38%. While this is good news, there are still many children in this age group whose parents have not taken up the offer of vaccine. I would strongly encourage these parents to consider having their child vaccinated. Vaccination remains the most effective protection against the swine flu virus.
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 is in 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 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
Connect with US
