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Source: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/Region-hit-by-fifth-fatality.5697976.jp
Region hit by fifth fatality as swine flu cases climb
Published Date: 01 October 2009
By Mike Waites Health Correspondent
CASES of swine flu have risen by 50 per cent in the last week and a fifth victim is believed to have died from the virus in Yorkshire.
There were an estimated 14,000 new cases in England as a second "attack wave" of the pandemic gathers pace. Yorkshire and the North West have seen the biggest increase, figures released yesterday revealed.
New evidence reinforces official advice to those in "at risk" groups to seek medical advice promptly if displaying symptoms.
It suggests four in five under-fives treated in hospital with the condition had been previously healthy, while almost half of adults aged up to 44 had no previous underlying conditions before being admitted for care.
The random sample of 192 patients showed more than one in four hospital patients with the virus had asthma, more than 15 per cent had heart disease and more than 10 per cent had diabetes. Just under five per cent were pregnant.
There have now been three more deaths in the UK, bringing the total to 85 including five in Yorkshire. No details have been released about the region's latest fatality.
A total of 286 people are being treated in hospitals in England, up from 218 from last week, with 36 in intensive care ? up 50 per cent. Since the start of term, 79 schools have suffered swine flu outbreaks in England, including 39 in Yorkshire.
Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said the number of new cases was a "steady" increase but not quite a doubling week on week, which is what concerns health officials.
"There is a steady rate of increase, but there is no sign of the explosive surge you can see in a pandemic." But he added: "There is still time for that to happen."
The first peak of the pandemic in the summer saw around 100,000 new cases of swine flu a week.
The highest infection rates in Yorkshire are in Calderdale, Kirklees, Rotherham and Wakefield. Hull is among the areas least affected.
Highest rates of infection overall are in those aged five to 24. Under-fives are most likely to be admitted to hospital.
The Government hopes to begin vaccinating high-risk groups and front-line health workers against swine flu in the second half of this month, depending on when batches of a vaccine are delivered.
Director of immunisation David Salisbury said stocks would be delivered to GPs on a rolling basis as they became available.
The full article contains 438 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
Page 1 of 1
* Last Updated: 01 October 2009 10:19 PM
* Source: n/a
* Location: Yorkshire
Region hit by fifth fatality as swine flu cases climb
Published Date: 01 October 2009
By Mike Waites Health Correspondent
CASES of swine flu have risen by 50 per cent in the last week and a fifth victim is believed to have died from the virus in Yorkshire.
There were an estimated 14,000 new cases in England as a second "attack wave" of the pandemic gathers pace. Yorkshire and the North West have seen the biggest increase, figures released yesterday revealed.
New evidence reinforces official advice to those in "at risk" groups to seek medical advice promptly if displaying symptoms.
It suggests four in five under-fives treated in hospital with the condition had been previously healthy, while almost half of adults aged up to 44 had no previous underlying conditions before being admitted for care.
The random sample of 192 patients showed more than one in four hospital patients with the virus had asthma, more than 15 per cent had heart disease and more than 10 per cent had diabetes. Just under five per cent were pregnant.
There have now been three more deaths in the UK, bringing the total to 85 including five in Yorkshire. No details have been released about the region's latest fatality.
A total of 286 people are being treated in hospitals in England, up from 218 from last week, with 36 in intensive care ? up 50 per cent. Since the start of term, 79 schools have suffered swine flu outbreaks in England, including 39 in Yorkshire.
Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said the number of new cases was a "steady" increase but not quite a doubling week on week, which is what concerns health officials.
"There is a steady rate of increase, but there is no sign of the explosive surge you can see in a pandemic." But he added: "There is still time for that to happen."
The first peak of the pandemic in the summer saw around 100,000 new cases of swine flu a week.
The highest infection rates in Yorkshire are in Calderdale, Kirklees, Rotherham and Wakefield. Hull is among the areas least affected.
Highest rates of infection overall are in those aged five to 24. Under-fives are most likely to be admitted to hospital.
The Government hopes to begin vaccinating high-risk groups and front-line health workers against swine flu in the second half of this month, depending on when batches of a vaccine are delivered.
Director of immunisation David Salisbury said stocks would be delivered to GPs on a rolling basis as they became available.
The full article contains 438 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
Page 1 of 1
* Last Updated: 01 October 2009 10:19 PM
* Source: n/a
* Location: Yorkshire