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Fears swine flu 'on the way back' | |
(20 minutes later) | |
Swine flu looks to be on its way back, according to Sir Liam Donaldson, England's chief medical officer. | |
Figures showed that there were an estimated 5,000 new cases in England last week - up from 3,000. | |
It is the first increase since the end of July, but the levels are still below what would be expected in a bad winter. | It is the first increase since the end of July, but the levels are still below what would be expected in a bad winter. |
In Scotland, the numbers have nearly doubled to more than 6,000, although in Wales and Northern Ireland the figures are much lower. | |
Most of the rise in England is accounted for by school children with six schools reporting suspected outbreaks. | |
A second wave of swine flu had been predicted to hit the UK in the winter months following the summer lull. | A second wave of swine flu had been predicted to hit the UK in the winter months following the summer lull. |
'Coming back' | 'Coming back' |
Sir Liam said this now appeared to be happening. | |
He added: "It does begin to suggest swine flu is coming back. | He added: "It does begin to suggest swine flu is coming back. |
"We would naturally have hoped for a bit more breathing space before it started again." | "We would naturally have hoped for a bit more breathing space before it started again." |
He said the rise showed why it was important to get the vaccination programme under way quickly. | He said the rise showed why it was important to get the vaccination programme under way quickly. |
A deal has now been agreed with GPs, meaning the UK will be ready to roll out the programme as soon as regulators license the jab. | A deal has now been agreed with GPs, meaning the UK will be ready to roll out the programme as soon as regulators license the jab. |
This is likely to happen in early October. | This is likely to happen in early October. |
The number of deaths in the UK has also risen to 79 - four more than last week - with more than 150 people in hospital because of the virus. | The number of deaths in the UK has also risen to 79 - four more than last week - with more than 150 people in hospital because of the virus. |
Meanwhile, the Health Protection Agency has reported one confirmed case and one possible case of anti-resistance to the flu drug Tamiflu. | Meanwhile, the Health Protection Agency has reported one confirmed case and one possible case of anti-resistance to the flu drug Tamiflu. |
There has been less than 30 cases like this worldwide with experts monitoring them for signs that the virus is mutating. | There has been less than 30 cases like this worldwide with experts monitoring them for signs that the virus is mutating. |
However, both of the UK cases showed no signs of passing the virus on so officials said they were not overly concerned. | However, both of the UK cases showed no signs of passing the virus on so officials said they were not overly concerned. |