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First case of swine flu in Wales
May 29 2009 Madeleine Brindley, WalesOnline
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THE first probable case of swine flu has been identified in Wales.
A 31-year-old man living in Caerphilly borough is understood to have developed swine flu-like symptoms after travelling in the US.
Tests have revealed that the man, who is responding to treatment and is at home, is suffering from a form of influenza A, which is not normal seasonal flu.
Samples will be sent to the Health Protection Agency's laboratories in Colindale to confirm whether the man, who has not been named, has the H1N1 virus.
The close family contacts are all well and have been offered antivirals. Other close contacts are being traced. Antivirals are offered as treatment to people who are ill and to aid prevention to people who are well but have been in close contact with a case.
Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, said: "We have made it clear all along that there would be cases in Wales and everyone must continue to be vigilant and try to reduce the spread of the virus.
"It is likely that further cases will continue to emerge and we are continuing to monitor the situation very closely. However, while numbers remain low, our focus continues to be on learning as much as we can about the virus and working to slow its spread.
"Our advice to the public remains the same, people should follow good respiratory and hand hygiene to help prevent the spread of influenza ? always using a tissue to catch sneezes, throwing away used tissues where germs can linger and regularly washing your hands, or cleaning them with a sanitising gel.
"Although it is natural for people to feel apprehensive, we would like to reassure the public that we have been working to prepare for the arrival of the virus for many years and have robust procedures in place."
Dr Roland Salmon, Director of the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, National Public Health Service for Wales, added: "We continue to advise that anyone who has flu-like symptoms and has travelled to one of the affected areas should stay at home and phone their GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47.
"People should not go to Accident and Emergency Departments or to their GP surgery without ringing first, as this may risk spreading the infection. It also places undue pressure on the emergency services.
"Although there are indications that this flu is mild, we know that seasonal flu can be severe, particularly for elderly and vulnerable people, so there is still good reason for us all to take action to reduce its effects. Flu is often confused with a bad cold but is in fact far more serious and leads to many deaths each year in Wales.
The Welsh Assembly Government continues to liaise with the National Public Health Service for Wales, Health Protection Agency, the other UK countries and international colleagues to monitor the situation closely.
Until now Wales has been one of only two parts of the UK to be unaffected by swine flu ? there are still no cases in the Yorkshire and Humber region of England.
A further eight people are still under investigation for the virus in Wales.
As of yesterday there were 203 confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK ? 188 in England, 14 in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland.
Worldwide, 53 countries have officially reported 15,510 cases of swine flu, including 99 deaths.
May 29 2009 Madeleine Brindley, WalesOnline
Add a comment
Recommend (6)
THE first probable case of swine flu has been identified in Wales.
A 31-year-old man living in Caerphilly borough is understood to have developed swine flu-like symptoms after travelling in the US.
Tests have revealed that the man, who is responding to treatment and is at home, is suffering from a form of influenza A, which is not normal seasonal flu.
Samples will be sent to the Health Protection Agency's laboratories in Colindale to confirm whether the man, who has not been named, has the H1N1 virus.
The close family contacts are all well and have been offered antivirals. Other close contacts are being traced. Antivirals are offered as treatment to people who are ill and to aid prevention to people who are well but have been in close contact with a case.
Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, said: "We have made it clear all along that there would be cases in Wales and everyone must continue to be vigilant and try to reduce the spread of the virus.
"It is likely that further cases will continue to emerge and we are continuing to monitor the situation very closely. However, while numbers remain low, our focus continues to be on learning as much as we can about the virus and working to slow its spread.
"Our advice to the public remains the same, people should follow good respiratory and hand hygiene to help prevent the spread of influenza ? always using a tissue to catch sneezes, throwing away used tissues where germs can linger and regularly washing your hands, or cleaning them with a sanitising gel.
"Although it is natural for people to feel apprehensive, we would like to reassure the public that we have been working to prepare for the arrival of the virus for many years and have robust procedures in place."
Dr Roland Salmon, Director of the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, National Public Health Service for Wales, added: "We continue to advise that anyone who has flu-like symptoms and has travelled to one of the affected areas should stay at home and phone their GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 46 47.
"People should not go to Accident and Emergency Departments or to their GP surgery without ringing first, as this may risk spreading the infection. It also places undue pressure on the emergency services.
"Although there are indications that this flu is mild, we know that seasonal flu can be severe, particularly for elderly and vulnerable people, so there is still good reason for us all to take action to reduce its effects. Flu is often confused with a bad cold but is in fact far more serious and leads to many deaths each year in Wales.
The Welsh Assembly Government continues to liaise with the National Public Health Service for Wales, Health Protection Agency, the other UK countries and international colleagues to monitor the situation closely.
Until now Wales has been one of only two parts of the UK to be unaffected by swine flu ? there are still no cases in the Yorkshire and Humber region of England.
A further eight people are still under investigation for the virus in Wales.
As of yesterday there were 203 confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK ? 188 in England, 14 in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland.
Worldwide, 53 countries have officially reported 15,510 cases of swine flu, including 99 deaths.
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