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Flu outbreak 'over worst for now' Flu outbreak 'over worst for now'
(40 minutes later)
Scotland may have seen the worst of the current phase of the swine flu pandemic, according to a leading expert on infection outbreaks.Scotland may have seen the worst of the current phase of the swine flu pandemic, according to a leading expert on infection outbreaks.
Professor Hugh Pennington, of Aberdeen University, also warned against fast-tracking a vaccine, before all the data has been properly analysed.Professor Hugh Pennington, of Aberdeen University, also warned against fast-tracking a vaccine, before all the data has been properly analysed.
It comes as a telephone and online advice service is launched in England.It comes as a telephone and online advice service is launched in England.
The Scottish Government said services in Scotland were under less pressure and keeping pace with the outbreak.The Scottish Government said services in Scotland were under less pressure and keeping pace with the outbreak.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon added that the situation was being closely monitored.Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon added that the situation was being closely monitored.
Mr Pennington told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "You could say we are possibly through the worst of this phase of the virus, whereas down south they do seem to be having an increasing number of people calling GPs, calling the telephone lines."Mr Pennington told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "You could say we are possibly through the worst of this phase of the virus, whereas down south they do seem to be having an increasing number of people calling GPs, calling the telephone lines."
SWINE FLU SYMPTOMS 1. High temperature, tiredness and lowered immunity2. Headache, runny nose and sneezing3. Sore throat4. Shortness of breath5. Loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea6. Aching muscles, limb and joint pain Source: NHS
He also urged caution over the release of a vaccine.
He said: "Once the initial tests have been done I think there is a possibility - laid out in the pandemic plan - that we could use emergency procedures just to rush it through before all the test results have been analysed and completed.
"I'd be concerned about that because the pandemic plan was looking really at a virus that was much higher mortality than the one we're seeing now, the one we're seeing now is basically no different in that respect from seasonal flu."
NHS24 has already been operating an advice service in Scotland. The new service in England will mean people will be able to get a diagnosis and drugs without seeing their GP.NHS24 has already been operating an advice service in Scotland. The new service in England will mean people will be able to get a diagnosis and drugs without seeing their GP.
Meanwhile, The Scotsman newspaper is reporting that GPs in Scotland are being asked to draw up plans to vaccinate certain "at risk" groups as early as next month.Meanwhile, The Scotsman newspaper is reporting that GPs in Scotland are being asked to draw up plans to vaccinate certain "at risk" groups as early as next month.
These would include pregnant women, young children and those with existing health problems.These would include pregnant women, young children and those with existing health problems.
On Tuesday, a 15-year-old girl became the fourth person in Scotland to die from swine flu.On Tuesday, a 15-year-old girl became the fourth person in Scotland to die from swine flu.
The teenager, who had underlying medical conditions, died at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill, Glasgow.The teenager, who had underlying medical conditions, died at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill, Glasgow.
Globally, about 800 people have died and almost 140,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed.Globally, about 800 people have died and almost 140,000 cases of the virus have been confirmed.