Flu deaths rise as Britain moves to self-diagnosis

Friday July 17th, 2009

The number of deaths from swine flu recorded in Britain has nearly doubled in the last week - and deaths are rising in other countries too, according to figures published yesterday.

The death toll jumped to 29 - while government officials were quoted as warning of a potential for as many as 65,000 fatalities. Some 26 deaths have been recorded in England by the Health Protection Agency.

Globally the World Health Organisation has abandoned efforts to measure the spread of the flu while England moves to a system of self-diagnosis for flu.

The UK National Pandemic Flu Service, to be launched next week, will allow the public to use a website and call centres to self-diagnose flu.

Flu patients will be told to send a friend or relative - free of illness - to collect antiviral medicines.

The British Department of Health said the service was not yet needed in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said "The flu service will mean the pressure will get taken off front-line staff to allow them to concentrate on the most serious cases."

The figure of 65,000 deaths comes from a Department of Health planning document. In the worst situation, it estimates, about 30 per cent of the population would contract the virus and some 0.35 per cent of these would die.

The HPA assessments suggest some 55,000 new cases of swine flu last week. According to newspaper reports, the highest profile patient so far is Cherie Blair, wife of the former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

According to the HPA, the H1N1 virus is now established in south-east Asia, the usual source of new flu viruses. Thailand has confirmed nine deaths and Australia 19. In South America Argentina has confirmed 94 deaths.

Tags: Asia | Australia | Flu & Viruses | Traveller Health | UK News | World Health

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