http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/113366/20-000-cases-of-swine-flu-and-on-target-for-a-million
20,000 CASES OF SWINE FLU ? AND ON TARGET FOR A MILLION
Sunday July 12,2009
By Natalie Chalk
SWINE FLU cases in Britain have reached 20,000, say health officials.
The number is rising every week and is on target to hit one million by the end of the summer, as ministers predicted.
The Government?s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, revealed that at least 43 people were in a critical condition after being infected with the virus. Hospitals are also treating another 335 patients.
While confirmed cases have risen to 9,718 ? the third highest in the world after Mexico and the US ? the true figure is unknown because sufferers are treating themselves at home rather than contacting their GP.
Yesterday the Department of Health insisted it was ready for a pandemic, adding that anyone who needed treatment would receive it.
A spokeswoman said: ?The Department of Health has placed orders for the supply of H1N1 swine flu vaccine which will be sufficient for the UK population, and we will be one of the first countries to have the vaccine.
?We have ordered the vaccine, enough for the UK population?
?The first supplies of vaccine are expected to be available from August, and will continue over a number of months. Antivirals are being offered and have been offered to everyone who needs them.
?We have sufficient antivirals for 50 per cent of the population and are increasing this to 80 per cent. The use of antivirals was a vital part of the containment phase of handling the pandemic for both treatment and prophylaxis. Antivirals are also a vital part of the treatment phase we are now in.
?Although the virus is proving generally mild in most people, in some cases it is more severe.
?Information about the virus so far suggests that generally this will be in those at a higher risk of complications.
20,000 CASES OF SWINE FLU ? AND ON TARGET FOR A MILLION
Sunday July 12,2009
By Natalie Chalk
SWINE FLU cases in Britain have reached 20,000, say health officials.
The number is rising every week and is on target to hit one million by the end of the summer, as ministers predicted.
The Government?s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, revealed that at least 43 people were in a critical condition after being infected with the virus. Hospitals are also treating another 335 patients.
While confirmed cases have risen to 9,718 ? the third highest in the world after Mexico and the US ? the true figure is unknown because sufferers are treating themselves at home rather than contacting their GP.
Yesterday the Department of Health insisted it was ready for a pandemic, adding that anyone who needed treatment would receive it.
A spokeswoman said: ?The Department of Health has placed orders for the supply of H1N1 swine flu vaccine which will be sufficient for the UK population, and we will be one of the first countries to have the vaccine.
?We have ordered the vaccine, enough for the UK population?
?The first supplies of vaccine are expected to be available from August, and will continue over a number of months. Antivirals are being offered and have been offered to everyone who needs them.
?We have sufficient antivirals for 50 per cent of the population and are increasing this to 80 per cent. The use of antivirals was a vital part of the containment phase of handling the pandemic for both treatment and prophylaxis. Antivirals are also a vital part of the treatment phase we are now in.
?Although the virus is proving generally mild in most people, in some cases it is more severe.
?Information about the virus so far suggests that generally this will be in those at a higher risk of complications.