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Source: http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/4520...ld_bodies_of_swine_flu_victims__says_Hove_GP/
Freezer lorries could hold bodies of swine flu victims, says Hove GP
7:00am Friday 31st July 2009
By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter ?
Freezer lorries could end up being parked outside hospitals to hold the bodies of people who have died from swine flu, a GP has warned.
Hove doctor Nigel Higson is predicting thousands of deaths this winter as the virus sweeps through Sussex and the rest of the country.
The impact would lead to increased pressure on mortuaries.
Writing in an online blog for The Argus, Dr Higson, who works at Goodwood Court Medical Centre, in Cromwell Road, Hove, said the outbreak was likely to be more serious than people were experiencing so far.
He said: ?I was asked the other day whether the whole swine flu thing was turning out to be a wet squib.
?I can understand why - it?s becoming a joke when people go off from work with fever and sore throats, receive a diagnosis of swine flu, and then are up and about again the next day.
?Regrettably, as we are aware, in some people it?s not such an easy recovery.
?Despite it being generally a mild disease, the biggest problem we will see is the effect of hundreds of thousands of people being ill at the same time disrupting deliveries of goods, essential and non-essential services.
?Britain will find it difficult to cope if one in ten people are ill away from work for up to a week at a time.
?Also with the large numbers of people infected, even though the number per thousand dying will be small, there will still be thousands of deaths during the outbreak.
?I remember the pictures of freezer lorries parked outside the Royal Sussex County Hospital a few winters ago holding those who had died in an outbreak of seasonal flu.
?This year there may be many such freezer lorries.?
As the number of cases continue to rise, pharmacists across the county are reporting selling out of thermometers as people rush to get supplies in so they can check if they start showing symptoms.
The Department of Health is also investigating after man from East Sussex called a national radio station, claiming be cheating the NHS swine flu website to obtain does of Tamiflu.
The man, who called himself Luke, said he applied using false identities and then sold the drug at car boot sales.
The National Pandemic Flu Service's website asks people to enter details of their symptoms then gives them a code to use as a prescription for Tamiflu.
A nominated friend or relative will then go to a dedicated collection point to pick up the drug.
West Sussex Primary Care Trust, which is co-ordinating the county's response to the outbreak, is continuing to urge people to keep calm.
It says the vast majority of people struck down by the virus are suffering mild symptoms and are recovering quickly.
For regular swine flu updates, don?t miss this dedicated section on our website.
As well as updates and the latest stories, there is also a map of Sussex showing where the outbreaks are happening.
The site has links to several websites including the Health Protection Agency, the county?s primary care trusts and the World Health Organisation.
It also features an NHS symptom checker, helpline numbers and information for businesses.
Freezer lorries could hold bodies of swine flu victims, says Hove GP
7:00am Friday 31st July 2009
By Siobhan Ryan, Health Reporter ?
Freezer lorries could end up being parked outside hospitals to hold the bodies of people who have died from swine flu, a GP has warned.
Hove doctor Nigel Higson is predicting thousands of deaths this winter as the virus sweeps through Sussex and the rest of the country.
The impact would lead to increased pressure on mortuaries.
Writing in an online blog for The Argus, Dr Higson, who works at Goodwood Court Medical Centre, in Cromwell Road, Hove, said the outbreak was likely to be more serious than people were experiencing so far.
He said: ?I was asked the other day whether the whole swine flu thing was turning out to be a wet squib.
?I can understand why - it?s becoming a joke when people go off from work with fever and sore throats, receive a diagnosis of swine flu, and then are up and about again the next day.
?Regrettably, as we are aware, in some people it?s not such an easy recovery.
?Despite it being generally a mild disease, the biggest problem we will see is the effect of hundreds of thousands of people being ill at the same time disrupting deliveries of goods, essential and non-essential services.
?Britain will find it difficult to cope if one in ten people are ill away from work for up to a week at a time.
?Also with the large numbers of people infected, even though the number per thousand dying will be small, there will still be thousands of deaths during the outbreak.
?I remember the pictures of freezer lorries parked outside the Royal Sussex County Hospital a few winters ago holding those who had died in an outbreak of seasonal flu.
?This year there may be many such freezer lorries.?
As the number of cases continue to rise, pharmacists across the county are reporting selling out of thermometers as people rush to get supplies in so they can check if they start showing symptoms.
The Department of Health is also investigating after man from East Sussex called a national radio station, claiming be cheating the NHS swine flu website to obtain does of Tamiflu.
The man, who called himself Luke, said he applied using false identities and then sold the drug at car boot sales.
The National Pandemic Flu Service's website asks people to enter details of their symptoms then gives them a code to use as a prescription for Tamiflu.
A nominated friend or relative will then go to a dedicated collection point to pick up the drug.
West Sussex Primary Care Trust, which is co-ordinating the county's response to the outbreak, is continuing to urge people to keep calm.
It says the vast majority of people struck down by the virus are suffering mild symptoms and are recovering quickly.
For regular swine flu updates, don?t miss this dedicated section on our website.
As well as updates and the latest stories, there is also a map of Sussex showing where the outbreaks are happening.
The site has links to several websites including the Health Protection Agency, the county?s primary care trusts and the World Health Organisation.
It also features an NHS symptom checker, helpline numbers and information for businesses.