Rhiza Labs FluTracker Forum

DOCTORS last night urged pregnant women and at-risk under-65s to be vaccinated against flu after cases of the virus increased by nearly 50 per cent.

Health chiefs made the appeal amid growing concern over the number of flu sufferers in the North-East who are becoming critically ill.

According to the latest figures, 27 patients with confirmed or suspected flu are being treated in critical care beds in the region’s hospitals, compared with 11 the previous week.
Dr Tricia Cresswell, deputy medical director at NHS North-East, said hospitals were seeing a disproportionate number of pregnant women becoming seriously ill with flu.

.............................................

................
New figures released today show there are more than 300,000 at-risk people under 65 in the region, with cases of influenza rising in most age groups – especially the middle aged.

The stark warning comes as fears of an epidemic grew after the number of seriously ill patients being treated in hospital for flu soared by 250%. Already this winter the illness has claimed the lives of 18 adults and nine children.

The most recent figures recorded on Christmas Eve revealed there were 27 patients with confirmed or suspected flu in critical care beds in the North East.

In addition, Northern Doctor’s Urgent Care – which deals with out-of-hours calls to GPs in the region – saw 40% more calls than this time last year, most of which were due to people suffering from flu-like symptoms.

Bank Holiday Monday was the busiest day when more than 1,445 people in the region called seeking urgent medical care.................................

Dumfries and Galloway residents struck by swine flu
Dec 29 2010 by Julie Watt, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

THE swine flu virus has returned to Dumfries and Galloway.

Health chiefs confirmed there have been less than five cases of the H1N1 virus in the region recently. Those showing symptoms have been classed as having a “low level” strain of the virus.

An NHS spokesman said: “There have been less than five confirmed cases of H1N1, swine flu, reported recently in Dumfries and Galloway.

“All current surveillance activity indicates low levels of influenza-like illness across Dumfries and Galloway.”
.................................

Crosby people are warned to get immunised against swine flu
Dec 30 2010 by Andrew Brown, Crosby Herald

SEFTON Central MP Bill Esterson is urging the vulnerable to get their winter flu jabs as cases of influenza have rocketed.

Last week saw almost a trebling of people going to see their GP with flu symptoms and the number of patients in hospital and in intensive care has risen.
.................

Nearly 500 more people called Cumbria’s out-of-hours GP and nursing service this Xmas suffering flu and cold-like symptoms......................

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman warns public to take flu seriously
Dec 30 2010 by Kevin Core, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman has spoken out after his family was affected by swine flu.

He said he’s seen the impact of the condition up close after his daughter’s fiance Anthony was struck down over the Christmas holiday.

The MP says it has not only revealed to him the severity of the flu, but convinced him that the government’s decision not to run a winter vaccinations advertising campaign has worsened the situation.

The MP also said Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s decision had cost lives.

He said: “Having seen how devastating the impacts of this flu is on a healthy young man it made me think how vulnerable constituents like the young, old and the pregnant would be affected.

“We were very worried about him.

“People should get their vaccination because although it’s not 100% it’s the best way to make people resilient.

“We’ve all heard jokes about ‘man flu’ but anyone who has seen it knows the difference between a cold and flu.

“I would urge people to keep an eye on neighbours who might be alone, it can be catastrophic.

“The news coming from up and down the country is not good, with vulnerable people dying and many still in intensive care.”

The number of people in critical care with confirmed or suspected flu in England rose to 460 on Christmas Eve – more than double the figure of the previous week.

All cases of flu, including swine flu, rose by more than 40% last week according to figures from doctors.

.................................

Intensive care units have seen a dramatic increase in ‘flu’ patients. Figures from the Health Protection Agency which are due to be released are expected to show a significant number of patients admitted with a form of the virus.

Though the increase is expected to be as much as 50%, technically this is not classed as an epidemic, though some doctors such as Dr David Lloyd feel differently. “I think we’re in the middle of a flu epidemic. I think everyone needs to be aware that, if they have a very high fever and aches and pains, they’re likely to have flu or swine flu and should be keeping away from others and isolating themselves so as not to spread it around and infect more people.” Dr David Lloyd has seen his workload double over the last few months...............................................

Nine feared to have swine flu
Thursday 30th December 2010, 11:30AM GMT.

Nine patients were today seriously ill and suspected of suffering from swine flu on a Black Country hospital ward where a woman with the disease died.

Visitors and staff have reportedly been told to wear masks on the 30-bed critical care unit at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton, where the nine are in bays and side rooms pending outcome of tests.

Another ward with up to 30 more patients identified as possible swine flu sufferers was closed to further admissions and visitors discouraged from going there.

There is no suggestion any patient caught the disease in hospital. Those under observation had symptoms when admitted and other serious underlying health problems.

Hospital chief executive David Loughton said today: “Nine patients in the critical care unit have been swabbed for possible swine flu and we are still awaiting the results of those tests.

“They all have underlying health problems and we are not expecting all of them to be confirmed as flu sufferers.

“Another respiratory care ward where some patients are currently under observation for possible swine flu is temporarily closed to further admissions.”

There are at least three confirmed cases of swine flu among patients at the hospital but that number is expected to grow today with the results of tests on others.

A similar number were confirmed at Walsall Manor Hospital where a ward was set up amid a wave of admissions.

Phil Walmsley, interim director of operations, said: “The area is fully staffed and we would like to reassure our patients that we are continuing to provide a high standard of care, during this busy time.”

Staff were called back early from holiday to cope with extra patients at Dudley’s Russell Hall Hospital while Helen Eden, spokeswoman for Sandwell Hospital, West Bromwich; Rowley Regis Hospital and City Hospital, Birmingham said: “We are currently isolating seriously ill patients “

Swine flu expected to rise when schools go back

December 30, 2010

A small number of patients continue to be treated for swine flu at Royal Berkshire Hospital although the number of cases is expected to rise.

The first influx of a handful of victims was admitted just before Christmas although bosses at the hospital trust expect a sharp increase when children return to school.

It is unconfirmed exactly how many people are being treated for the H1N1 virus and whether they are intensive care..................