Welsh swine flu cases rise again

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Possible cases of swine flu in Wales have seen another big increase.

Latest figures show the equivalent of 3,075 people in Wales contacting their GPs in the last seven days with flu-like symptoms.

Consultations with GPs in Wales have risen from 73.4 per 100,000 people to 102.5 per 100,000, a 39.6% increase in one day.

The assembly government yesterday said it was training more NHS Direct Wales call handlers to help deal with cases.

It has been criticised for not joining the National Pandemic Flu Service, which has been introduced in England in response to operational pressure.

Health Minister Edwina Hart said that Wales, along with Scotland and Northern Ireland, will be able to plug into the NPFS if and when it is required.

HYGIENE ADVICE If you have symptoms, stay home and check out the symptoms on <a class="" href="http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/">NHS Direct Wales</a> Or phone the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513 for recorded advice and informationMost people will not need further advice and support and can self-medicate at home with rest, plenty of fluid and paracetamolIf you have concerns, or in an at risk group to call your GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647If people contact the National Pandemic Flu Service - either the website on the call centre - they will be directed to contact their GP<i>Source: Welsh Assembly Government</i>

Not all of the people in the latest NPHS statistics will have swine flu and not everyone with flu-like symptoms will contact their GP.

But it is expected that the proportion of influenza cases diagnosed that are due to swine flu will increase as the virus spreads in Wales.

The worst affected areas are Vale of Glamorgan, Newport, Torfaen, Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, and Cardiff.

GPs are no longer being asked to swab people they suspect may have swine flu.

Microbiology laboratories are therefore no longer testing most people suspected of having swine flu.

There have been 78 laboratory confirmed cases in Wales and of these a total of 17 people with swine flu have been hospitalised. Fifteen of these have been discharged.

Dr Roland Salmon, from NPHS for Wales, said swine flu, in most cases, is mild. But it was severe for a small minority.

"Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalisation or medical care," he said.

"As the disease becomes more widespread in the UK we have changed our approach to focus on treatment, emphasising those people most at risk - people more likely to develop serious illness or complications.

"These are, particularly, the groups that we encourage to get vaccinated each winter, because they are at risk from seasonal influenza, together with pregnant women and children under five."

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/">NHS Direct</a> can be contacted on 0845 4647.