Update on confirmed swine flu cases: 12 June

12 June 2009

72 further patients under investigation in England have today been confirmed with swine flu. Together with the 26 cases in Scotland announced yesterday (June 11 2009) by the Scottish Government and one announced earlier today by the Welsh Assembly this brings the current total number of confirmed UK cases to 921.

Testing of the swine flu virus is carried out by the Health Protection Agency's regional network of laboratories.

 

*New testing arrangements mean that the regional breakdown of figures reflects the regional laboratory where samples are tested which may not always be in the region where the patient lives(as a result there may be some small variations in regional figures as cases are reassigned to their home regions.)

437 cases are currently under laboratory investigation in the UK. These cases change on a daily basis on account of some of those under assessment being discounted and new ones being introduced. This figure is correct at the time stated.

Anyone who is being investigated as a possible case of swine flu (which means they meet the epidemiological criteria and have symptoms) or has been confirmed with the infection will be offered antivirals and will be asked to stay at home and limit their contact with other people.   

Where antivirals are prescribed, it is important that the specified course of treatment is followed and completed, even though in some cases this medication may cause nausea.  

It is important for parents and schools to be vigilant and take prompt action if children who have travelled abroad during the half term break start showing flu-like symptoms.

General infection control practices and good respiratory hand hygiene can help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including swine flu. This includes:

• Maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of virus from your hands to face or to other people.
• Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
• Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible.
• Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
• Making sure your children follow this advice. 
  

Ends

Notes to editors

Notes to editors
1) A full transcript of the WHO pandemic influenza Phase 6 announcement can be found here http://www.who.int/en/

2) Further information on swine flu is available on the Health Protection Agency's website at www.hpa.org.uk/swineflu

3) The Department of Health has set up a swine flu information line for the public on 0800 1 513 513.

4) The Health Protection Agency is providing expert advice and support to the UK government, NHS and other organisations.

5) To help us identify cases of swine flu in the community, the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections will be continuing its regular surveillance work throughout the summer, at the same pace that is applied during the normal "flu season" (October to May).

6) In England this surveillance work includes the collection of data from 3,300 GP surgeries across the country, and the testing of patient samples from over 100 surgeries. Information on flu activity is also provided by a network of boarding schools and NHS Direct.

7) To further enhance our ability to detect cases of swine flu, the HPA is issuing regular guidance to GPs on the testing of possible cases. Plans to increase the number of surgeries participating in surveillance schemes, and to facilitate more widespread testing in communities where cases of swine flu have been identified, are currently being implemented.

For media enquiries only please contact the Health Protection Agency's Centre for Infections press office on
020 8327 7080  
020 8327 6647
020 8327 7098  
020 8327 7097
020 8327 6690

Last reviewed: 3 June 2010