Weekly swine flu bulletin
Thursday, 5 November 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 30 October (Week 44) 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 decreased from 280 per 100,000 in Week 43 to 222 in Week 44 (21% decrease) and remain highest in the 5-14 age group;
- Out of Hours calls for flu and flu-like illness have also decreased to 1,056 (2% decrease) and remain highest in the 5-14 age group;
- There were 215 new cases of laboratory confirmed swine flu during week 44;
- The total number of laboratory confirmed cases in Northern Ireland as at noon on 4 November was 1,093;
- Antiviral prescriptions have increased to 2,837 during week 44 (11% increase) compared with 2,552 courses prescribed in week 43; a total of 20,366 antiviral prescriptions have been issued at noon 4 November;
- The number of cumulative swine flu hospitalisations is 495 as at noon on 4 November 2009; there has been a 12% increase in the number of new hospitalisations from 76 in week 43 to 85 in week 44;
- In the last week a nine year old child with an underlying health condition and a 65 year old female also with underlying health conditions have died. Both individuals had also tested positive for swine flu. These two further deaths bring the total swine flu related deaths in Northern Ireland to ten (as at Wednesday 4 November).
The full weekly flu bulletin is available on the DHSSPS website and nidirect.
Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “I am saddened to hear of these further deaths and my thoughts are with the families and friends at this very difficult time for them. We should all now respect their privacy and allow them to grieve in peace.
“In Northern Ireland we have begun our programme to vaccinate pregnant women and I have been greatly encouraged by the significant number of pregnant women who have been taking the opportunity to get the swine flu vaccine to protect themselves and their unborn baby.
“A new public awareness vaccination campaign will be rolled out across the UK from next Monday. It will remind those people in the priority groups and frontline healthcare professionals of the importance of taking up the offer of the swine flu vaccine when their turn comes.”
Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said: "Swine flu is clearly still circulating widely in the community. After a sustained increase for several weeks we have seen a decrease this week in some of the key indicators. However, the decrease may be partly due to half term holidays and it is too soon to say whether the peak has been reached. Levels remain highest amongst the 5-14 age group. Hospitalisations have increased again this week.
"Vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions are a priority within our vaccination programme and I would encourage everyone to get the vaccine when it is offered. I would like to reassure the public that we will have enough vaccine to vaccinate everyone in the priority groups over the next 4-5 weeks. It is the best defence against swine flu and will give these vulnerable people the protection they need. Protect yourself, protect those at risk and get the vaccine.
"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 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.
2. 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.
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 for those who want more information about swine flu. Textphone 18001 0800 0 514 142.
6. The UK-wide flu information line on 0800 1513 513 provides regularly updated advice on swine flu. This is also a freephone number.
7. Further information about swine flu can be found on the DHSSPS website and nidirect.
8. 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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