This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8142833.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
UK swine flu death toll hits 14 UK swine flu death toll hits 14
(21 minutes later)
Fourteen people in the UK are thought to have died after contracting swine flu, the government has announced. Fourteen patients are now thought to have died in the UK after contracting swine flu, the government has said.
Medical officials said the figures did not mean all those who had died had died as a direct result of swine flu, but that many had had the virus. Not all of those had died as a direct result of swine flu, but many had had the virus, England's chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said.
There are 335 people in hospital in England with swine flu, of which 43 are in critical care, they said. There are 335 people in hospital in England with swine flu, of whom 43 are in critical care.
The number of swine flu cases in London and the West Midlands is approaching epidemic levels, Sir Liam added.
The UK now has the third highest number of swine flu cases in the world - 9,718 - after the US and Mexico.The UK now has the third highest number of swine flu cases in the world - 9,718 - after the US and Mexico.
As of Wednesday, Mexico had 10,262 cases, and there were 33,902 confirmed cases in the US.As of Wednesday, Mexico had 10,262 cases, and there were 33,902 confirmed cases in the US.
Of the 14 deaths in the UK, 12 have occurred in England and two in ScotlandOf the 14 deaths in the UK, 12 have occurred in England and two in Scotland
Sir Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer for England, said the true number of people in the UK suffering from the virus was unknown, as many people would be treating themselves at home rather than contacting their GP. Sir Liam said the true number of people in the UK suffering from the virus was unknown, as many people would be treating themselves at home rather than contacting their GP.
Sir Liam also said London and the West Midlands were approaching epidemic levels, with regard to the number of cases being seen. "We do have to remain cautious, the virus may change or mutate, but as it stands at the moment, it's not a severe illness for most people but some people can get it very severely," he said.
"That's why getting a vaccine in place is vitally important."
Various methods are being used to evaluate the number of cases, including laboratory testing on sample groups and monitoring of some GP practices and the number of calls received by NHS Direct.Various methods are being used to evaluate the number of cases, including laboratory testing on sample groups and monitoring of some GP practices and the number of calls received by NHS Direct.
The Ministry of Justice has announced that there will not be any inquests into the deaths of two people who died after contracting swine flu.The Ministry of Justice has announced that there will not be any inquests into the deaths of two people who died after contracting swine flu.