Swine flu cases almost double for second week on sep 25th

Estimates suggest that there were 9,000 new cases in England with at least 66 schools in England affected by the virus

 

The number of cases of swine flu has almost doubled for the second week in a row with at least 66 schools in England affected by outbreaks since the start of the new term, NHS figures show.
The latest estimates from the Health Protection Agency suggest that there were 9,000 new cases of swine flu in England last week, up from 5,000 in the previous week. The week before that the figure was about 3,000.
Sir Liam Donaldson, the Government’s chief medical officer, said that the increases “suggest the early stages of a second wave” of swine flu, after a lull in cases over the summer.
While the majority of cases continue to be mild, the total number of swine flu-related deaths in the UK rose to 82.
In Scotland, the new weekly figures showed a slight increase from 6,180 to 7,034, while levels of swine flu are much lower in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Sir Liam said that cases were high for this time of year but had not reached the levels that would be expected in a typical flu season.
Schools in at least eight out of ten NHS regions in England had reported outbreaks, including those with confirmed cases and some under investigation.
Of the 66 schools, 27 were reported to be in the Yorkshire and Humber region, with 12 in the West Midlands, eight in the East Midlands, and six in London.
The data was obtained from local health authorities but was likely to underestimate the true number of schools affected, Sir Liam said.
He said that a school “outbreak” could mean anything from a couple of suspected cases to more than a dozen children being off sick with flu, but said that the numbers correlated with rises in the number of cases seen in young people.
The Government has ruled out a policy of regular school closures as had been recommended when the H1N1 flu virus emerged in April. Sir Liam stressed the importance of good hygiene, instead, including regularly washing hands with soap and water, throwing tissues away and covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. “Research across a lot of children’s diseases does show that that cuts the rate,” he said.
“Parents of children with underlying illnesses should consult their doctor (if they have flu) and children with flu-like symptoms and whose condition deteriorates should consult their doctor because that might be an indication that they have serious complications of flu or have another serious illness of childhood.”
Sir Liam said that the “small increase” in cases seen last week was still less than the doubling in new cases each week that would be expected during large-scale outbreaks. But he added: “I would have preferred not to have seen any increases yet and had more flatlining because that gets us close to the vaccine becoming available. I would have preferred to have had more breathing space.”
Recent figures suggest that the situation is much worse in France, where rates of flu-like illness are in excess of even the peak experienced in England in July, when up to 100,000 new cases a week were being diagnosed.
European regulators are still due to licence a swine flu vaccine so that it can be given to those in high-risk groups, such as pregnant women and children and adults with asthma or diabetes, from next month.
Evidence suggests that people may need only one dose of the jab rather than two, although children may still need two after showing a lower immune response in clinical trials.
Sir Liam said he was “optimistic” that the country may be able to rely on one dose for adults.

my thoughts:

Q)How can they possibly know if this is genuine swine flu when they don't actually test for it unless there are serious side-effects?

I had most the symptoms last week but it wasn't that severe and I carried on as normal - still coughing a bit, but no need to bother a doctor.

ANS)I had the porcine plague this week. Not much fun but a reasonable excuse to bunk off work and play the six degrees of seperation in European and Russian cinema (Ladies in Lavender to Night Watch in three steps, not bad).

However, I just went onto the NHS swine flu website (hey, it's Friday afternoon) and I am not only suffering complications (read also, the usual post-flu cough and gross-ness as my body rids itself of the excess fluids it has been hoarding over the last few days), but am also able to pick up my anti-virals at any pre-ordained pick-up point. I can even get a friend or relative to pick it up for me.

The NHS is now only one step away from doing deliveries. I think they must have based their system on Pizza Hut's...

H1N1 Vaccine Latest and symptoms

 Doctor Ivan Walks of the Maryland Swine Flu Advisory Board joined us with the latest news about H1N1 vaccine.

Va expects 1st doses of H1N1 flu vaccine soon

 Virginia health officials expect the state to get its first doses of H1N1 influenza vaccines by early next week.

The initial shipment of the vaccine will be sent to hospitals and local health departments to immunize healthcare workers and emergency-services staff that have direct contact with patients, according to James B. Farrell, director of the Virginia Department of Health's division of immunization.

Farrell says the immunizations will start next week. Health officials say the initial doses will be the nasal-spray version of the H1N1 vaccine, which is made with a live weakened flu virus and is recommended for use only by healthy people ages 2 to 49.

Baltimore student diagnosed with swine flu dies

A female middle school student diagnosed with swine flu has died, becoming the ninth death in Maryland linked to the virus, school and health officials said Wednesday.

The child's death is still being investigated, but the Montbello Elementary-Middle School student had no apparent underlying medical conditions, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Fran Phillips said Wednesday. Further details on the girl's case were not released for privacy reasons.

"Sadly, this is the profile that other states have reported," Phillips said. "A previously healthy child who becomes quite ill very quickly and requires intensive care treatment, and despite a high level of care does not recover."

Mayor Sheila Dixon and Baltimore schools CEO Andres Alonso said in statements that the school system and city health department are working with federal and state authorities to keep students and parents informed about precautions they can take to avoid spreading influenza.

"My sympathy and prayers go out to the parents, family and friends of this child as this tragic passing is a reminder of the challenge we face with the H1N1 (swine) flu virus," Dixon said.

The child's death, the second death of a Maryland child under 18 linked to the virus, shows how important it is that children receive the vaccine, Phillips said.

When the swine flu vaccine is available, officials will focus on vaccinating children, pregnant women and health care workers, Phillips said. Parents should look out for information about getting the vaccine at pediatricians' offices, local health departments and school-based clinics.

Wednesday was the first day the state was able to place orders for vaccines, and officials planned to order 31,600, the maximum allowed for the day, Phillips said. The first shipments are expected to be delivered in the middle of next week, she said.

Since June, state health officials have reported 198 hospitalizations linked to swine flu.

my opinions:

1. Swine flu vaccines are thought to be safe and effective as the initial symptom is mild.

2. Folks need to stay vigilant on refraining form the in-take of pork, just in case of the mutation.

(( Genes included in the new swine flu have been circulating undetected in pigs for at least a decade, according to researchers who have sequenced the genomes of more than 50 samples of the virus. The findings suggest that in the future, pig populations will need to be monitored more closely for emerging influenza viruses, reported a team led by Rebecca Garten of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a report released by the journal Science.))

3. I personally recognize that wheat is a far better diet than meat on the ground it usually goes out of body with ease and rapidity, and we are well aware that our heath depends upon smooth metabolism and blood stream associated with the immune system and how important our daily workout is, as well.

I still think the critical conditions mostly come from breach of our immune system, and the food that stays long in the body is more likely to become a source where germs, bacterias and the like multiply.
Sounds outlandish, but wheat might be a principal "clean and healthy" food that has led western society to the most decent culture of all.

3. Additionally, a simple action like brushing teeth following each and every meal could make a big difference in our immune system, let alone workout, I believe.

4. Provided the average temperature is getting higher, accordingly all forms of germs, viruses, and influenza etc are more likely to multiply.

Some skeptics say the warning against hazards of climate change is overstated, but judging from more frequent and widespread outbreaks of e. coli, salmonella, and bird, swine flu cases endangering human lives and economic recovery seriously, some prompt measures need to be taken, I guess. 

The Common Sense H1N1 (Swine) Flu Checklist

If you have a Flu-Like Illness Including:

• Fever of 100ºF (37.8ºC) or higher and,
  
• Cough or Sore Throat
  
• A healthy individual who is mildly sick should stay home and recover unless you develop Emergency Warning Signs (see below)
  
• If you are at risk for serious health complications or have concerns, contact your health care provider
  
• Always call your health care provider before you visit