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UK swine flu cases pass 900 mark UK swine flu cases pass 900 mark
(30 minutes later)
The number of confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK has reached 909, Health Secretary Andy Burnham has said.The number of confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK has reached 909, Health Secretary Andy Burnham has said.
In a statement to the Commons, Mr Burnham said 28 people had been admitted to hospital and that most of those had made a full recovery.In a statement to the Commons, Mr Burnham said 28 people had been admitted to hospital and that most of those had made a full recovery.
He said: "We recognised from the outset that we would be unlikely to prevent a widespread outbreak indefinitely."He said: "We recognised from the outset that we would be unlikely to prevent a widespread outbreak indefinitely."
The UK had enough anti-viral drugs for 50% of the population and planned to raise that figure to 80%, he added.The UK had enough anti-viral drugs for 50% of the population and planned to raise that figure to 80%, he added.
Mr Burnham said people should not change their day to day behaviour and follow hand hygiene guidelines.Mr Burnham said people should not change their day to day behaviour and follow hand hygiene guidelines.
The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic following a sharp increase in the number of cases in Australia.The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic following a sharp increase in the number of cases in Australia.
'No surprise'
Mr Burnham said: "In recent days there have been significant increases in the daily number of cases in certain parts of the UK - most notably Scotland where Health Protection Scotland has concluded that sustained community transmission appears to be taking place.Mr Burnham said: "In recent days there have been significant increases in the daily number of cases in certain parts of the UK - most notably Scotland where Health Protection Scotland has concluded that sustained community transmission appears to be taking place.
"This is characterised by an increased number of sporadic cases. That is cases with no identifiable link with other confirmed cases.""This is characterised by an increased number of sporadic cases. That is cases with no identifiable link with other confirmed cases."
Global effort
But he said the rise came as "no surprise" and was in line with what ministers knew about similar outbreaks.But he said the rise came as "no surprise" and was in line with what ministers knew about similar outbreaks.
Health minister Andy Burnham: "We now have enough anti-virals to treat half the UK population"
He said it was vital that the global community worked together and stated that the government had set aside a further £6m to help the international response.He said it was vital that the global community worked together and stated that the government had set aside a further £6m to help the international response.
Mr Burnham said that at some point the focus would need to move from limiting the spread of a localised virus, to "mitigating the effects of a widespread virus".Mr Burnham said that at some point the focus would need to move from limiting the spread of a localised virus, to "mitigating the effects of a widespread virus".
He said: "That point has not been reached yet."He said: "That point has not been reached yet."
InfectionInfection
Mr Burnham added: "We have advance purchase agreements which enable the UK to purchase up to 132 million doses of pandemic-specific vaccine - enough for two doses for 100% of the population, should this be necessary."Mr Burnham added: "We have advance purchase agreements which enable the UK to purchase up to 132 million doses of pandemic-specific vaccine - enough for two doses for 100% of the population, should this be necessary."
The government has also ordered 226m face masks, 34m respirators and 15.2m courses of antibiotics.The government has also ordered 226m face masks, 34m respirators and 15.2m courses of antibiotics.
Mr Burnham also said there were no immediate plans for widespread closures of schools.
He said: "Obviously, there may be circumstances where the Health Protection Agency consider it necessary to advise school closures because that may help with local containment of the disease."
Meanwhile, shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley praised the work of those involved in tackling the outbreak and called for more effort to help poorer countries.
Pandemic status means the infection is spreading in at least two regions of the world.Pandemic status means the infection is spreading in at least two regions of the world.
While the virus originated in Mexico in April, it has since spread to 74 countries, infected nearly 30,000 people and caused 141 deaths.While the virus originated in Mexico in April, it has since spread to 74 countries, infected nearly 30,000 people and caused 141 deaths.