Swine Flu - the situation in the UK

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LTB 940/09 - Swine Flu - the situation in the UK & NHS begins Swine Flu Vaccination:


No. 940/09
Ref E1
Date: 26 October 2009

To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues
Swine Flu - the situation in the UK & NHS begins Swine Flu Vaccination:
New cases of swine flu have almost doubled in the past week, with an estimated 53,000 new infections in the week up to 23 October compared to 27,000 new cases identified the previous week up to 16 October. So far, 122 people have died in the UK.

On 23rd October 2009 Sir Liam Donaldson, the government's chief medical officer, said the number requiring critical care was a matter of 'some concern'. As of 14 October, 364 patients were admitted to hospitals in England, 74 in critical care, the highest level seen so far.

The UK formally moved from a containment to a treatment phase for swine flu on 2 July 2009. Intensive efforts to contain swine flu, for example through automatic school closures, ended. This was to free-up capacity to treat the people who are contracting swine flu daily.

As in other countries, most of the cases reported so far in the UK have been mild. Only a small number have led to serious illness, and these have often been in patients with existing health problems, such as cancer, that already weakened their immune systems.

Some people believe that the government should only give antivirals to those who are most at risk of developing serious complications from swine flu. In other words, if people are otherwise healthy, the virus should be treated with paracetamol and bed rest until the person is better, as you would with normal flu.

However, the government's Scientific Advisory Group on Emergencies (SAGE) believes that there is still some doubt about the risks of the virus. For example, there are reports of some cases in Argentina where young, healthy adults have become extremely ill from swine flu.

While there is still this doubt, the government has decided to offer the antiviral medicines Tamiflu or Relenza to everyone who is confirmed with swine flu. Last week, the antiviral collection numbers in the National Pandemic Flu Service continued to increase in nearly all age groups.

High-risk groups

Some people are more at risk of complications if they catch swine flu, and need to start taking antivirals as soon as it is confirmed that they have the illness. Doctors may advise some high-risk patients to take antivirals before they have symptoms, if someone close to them has swine flu.

It is already known that people are particularly vulnerable if they have:
· chronic (long-term) lung disease,
· chronic heart disease,
· chronic kidney disease,
· chronic liver disease,
· chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease),
· immunosuppression (whether caused by disease or treatment), or
· diabetes mellitus.
Also at risk are:
· patients who have had drug treatment for asthma in the past three years,
· pregnant women,
· people aged 65 and over, and
· children under five.

Swine flu vaccinations

The first swine-flu vaccinations against the H1N1 swine flu virus have begun and were administered last week amid concerns over a sharp rise in the number of critical cases being admitted to hospitals.

The vaccine is being given to those at the greatest risk first. Acute hospitals received the first batch of supplies of the Pandemrix vaccine last Tuesday and GPs are expected to receive enough supplies for about 4.4m doses from Monday 26 October. The vaccine was approved by the European Commission this month on the recommendation of the European Medicines Agency.

The following groups are being given the vaccine, in this order:
· People aged between six months and 65 years who usually get the seasonal flu jab.
· All pregnant women.
· People who live with those whose immune systems are compromised, such as cancer patients or people with HIV/AIDS.
· People aged 65 and over in the seasonal flu vaccine at-risk groups.
To stop the virus spreading

Although the UK has moved to a treatment phase for swine flu, it is important that people continue to do everything they can to stop the virus from spreading.
The most important way is to have good respiratory and hand hygiene. In other words, always sneeze in to a tissue, and quickly put it in a bin. Wash your hands and clean your home and work surfaces regularly and thoroughly to kill the virus.
More on swine flu:

NHS Flu Service Q&A Website: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-f ... henational" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yours Sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[LTB compiled with the assistance of the HPA and NHS]