Panic over Swine Flu may well be ill founded, health chiefs believe. Most confirmed cases of H1N1 infection turn out to be relatively mild and only a few requiring hospital treatment.
- Levels of flu in Wales have decreased in the week ending 2 August
- Current levels of flu in Wales would be considered normal in the winter
- Swine flu usually leads to a mild illness although in a minority of cases it can be severe
The clinical consultation rate for influenza in Wales decreased during week 31 to 69.9 per 100,000 (from 90.8 per 100,000 in week 30). While there has been a decrease, this is still within the range for what would be considered normal for seasonal flu activity in the winter.
94 laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu have been reported by NPHS Health Protection Teams in 20 LHB areas (as at 10am on 5 August).
Of the laboratory confirmed cases, 28 people confirmed with swine flu in Wales have been admitted to hospital, 25 of whom have now been discharged (as at 10am on 5 August).
According to the NPHS daily GP surveillance scheme, as at 5 August, the influenza consultation rate in Wales as a whole was 89.02 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs in the previous seven days out of every 100,000 people in Wales.
Consultation rates in 5 LHB areas now exceed 100 cases of flu like illness diagnosed by GPs in the previous seven days out of every 100,000 people in Wales. Consultation rates appear highest in South Wales.
Consultation rates appear highest in children aged less than 4 years and in those aged 15 – 24 years,
Latest figures for yesterday (Wednesday, 5 August) show NHS Direct Wales received 139 swine flu-related calls. Of those, 118 people were symptomatic and 21 were from the ‘worried well’.
Written on Monday, 10 August 2009 11:22 by Richard Winters
