http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-panic-rises-Health-Secretary-calls-calm.html
Swine flu helplines are being flooded with calls as panic over the deadly virus rises, it was revealed today.
Staff at NHS Direct have fielded more than 52,000 calls in the last week compared to a total of 190,000 since April.
Many of the callers are not thought to be ill but are scared because apparently healthy people have now started dying from the virus.
The rise in calls is despite health chiefs insisting there is no need to panic and trying to reassure people that measures to contain swine flu are in place.
Public fears have increased after yesterday's announcement that a healthy child and a GP with no known underlying problems have died from the virus.
Their deaths mean three people with no previous health problems have now died of the illness out of a total of 17 deaths across Britain.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham described six-year-old Chloe Buckley's death as a 'tragedy' today but insisted people must not worry too much.
'There have been lots of children already having the condition but making a very quick and full recovery. We do have to keep it in perspective,' he said.
Britain was at the 'front of the queue' for the swine flu vaccine and the first should arrive here next month, the minister added.
'We could not be in a better position. So as soon as stocks are made, the very first vaccines will come to this country. We expect to get the first next month.'
Enough vaccine for the whole population has been ordered and half of all doses are expected to arrive by the end of the year.
A list has been drawn up of people who will get the first injections, including health workers and patients with conditions like diabetes and asthma.
Experts are adamant swine flu is no more contagious than the normal seasonal flu and will prove mild for most who catch it.
'The vast majority of people will recover quickly by taking paracetamol or ibuprofen, and drinking plenty of fluids,' said Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA's GP committee.
'We must remember that every year there are deaths from complications of seasonal flu; this is unfortunately inevitable with any strain of influenza.'
Much more in the article at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-panic-rises-Health-Secretary-calls-calm.html
Swine flu helplines are being flooded with calls as panic over the deadly virus rises, it was revealed today.
Staff at NHS Direct have fielded more than 52,000 calls in the last week compared to a total of 190,000 since April.
Many of the callers are not thought to be ill but are scared because apparently healthy people have now started dying from the virus.
The rise in calls is despite health chiefs insisting there is no need to panic and trying to reassure people that measures to contain swine flu are in place.
Public fears have increased after yesterday's announcement that a healthy child and a GP with no known underlying problems have died from the virus.
Their deaths mean three people with no previous health problems have now died of the illness out of a total of 17 deaths across Britain.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham described six-year-old Chloe Buckley's death as a 'tragedy' today but insisted people must not worry too much.
'There have been lots of children already having the condition but making a very quick and full recovery. We do have to keep it in perspective,' he said.
Britain was at the 'front of the queue' for the swine flu vaccine and the first should arrive here next month, the minister added.
'We could not be in a better position. So as soon as stocks are made, the very first vaccines will come to this country. We expect to get the first next month.'
Enough vaccine for the whole population has been ordered and half of all doses are expected to arrive by the end of the year.
A list has been drawn up of people who will get the first injections, including health workers and patients with conditions like diabetes and asthma.
Experts are adamant swine flu is no more contagious than the normal seasonal flu and will prove mild for most who catch it.
'The vast majority of people will recover quickly by taking paracetamol or ibuprofen, and drinking plenty of fluids,' said Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA's GP committee.
'We must remember that every year there are deaths from complications of seasonal flu; this is unfortunately inevitable with any strain of influenza.'
Much more in the article at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-panic-rises-Health-Secretary-calls-calm.html