Swine flu resumes spread

Friday September 18th, 2009

The spread of swine flu in Britain may have resumed with the return of children to school, health officials warned yesterday.

The first increase in the number of cases in England for more than a month was reported - with experts estimating some 5,000 cases. In Scotland the number of cases doubled to 6,000.

So far six schools in England have reported outbreaks of swine flu, which is caused by the H1N1 virus.

Officials also reported the first cases of drug-resistant flu in Britain. One patient has been confirmed as having contracted a Tamiflu-resistant virus and a second is still being tested. Some 23 patients world-wide have been found with drug-resistant viruses.

Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said: "It does begin to suggest swine flu is coming back. We would naturally have hoped for a bit more breathing space before it started again."

World-wide some 3,696 deaths have been reported by national governments - a six per cent increase in the last week.

According to the World Health Organisation, the disease may be resuming its spread in south-eastern USA and eastern Europe as the northern hemisphere moves into winter. The disease is also still spreading in tropical countries such as India, Bolivia and Venezuela.

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

Printer friendly page