Flu rates fall
Friday August 7th, 2009
The school holidays may have led to a marked slowing down of the spread of swine flu in Britain, according to the latest estimates.
Some 30,000 more people succumbed to the H1N1 virus last week, according to estimates by the Health Protection Agency.
Reports from GPs and government helplines suggest a fall off in cases amongst all age groups and in all regions, except Northern Ireland.
Some 530 patients in England had to be admitted to hospital and the number of deaths has risen to 36, according to the HPA. Four deaths have been reported in Scotland.
Globally, nations have confirmed more than 193,000 caes and 1,362 deaths, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Thailand has reported 65 deaths and the USA 353. Argentina has recorded 243 deaths, Australia 70 and Chile 96.
English Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Liam Donaldson said he expected flu rates to rise again next month after schools return.
He said: "We can't be complacent about this, we have to continue planning, we have to be ready for what happens in the autumn."
Tags: Australia | Flu & Viruses | North America | UK News | World Health
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