Another death is made public as Scottish swine flu cases increase

Published on Thursday 12 November 2009 21:22

THE number of people in Scotland with swine flu has risen in the past week, official statistics showed yesterday.

About 21,500 people were estimated to have the H1N1 virus, up from about 17,487 the previous week, according to Health Protection Scotland.

The news came as it emerged another person, an adult from NHS Dumfries & Galloway who had an underlying health condition, has died of the virus, bringing the total number of swine flu related deaths in Scotland to 34.

The figures come after a fall in cases was seen in England.

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "This rise is not unexpected as we move further into the winter season and we must prepare for an almost continual rise in cases until the effects of the vaccination programme are evident."

The Scottish Government said it would publish figures on the uptake of the vaccine so far for the first time next week.

NHS Scotland has received just under 550,000 doses of vaccine, about 40 per cent of the total required for the 1.3 million people in priority groups. The rate of community samples that tested positive for the virus was 44.6 per cent, up from 39 per cent in the week before.

The rate of GP consultations for flu-like illnesses also increased, from 105.6 to 114.2 per 100,000. The figures indicate that 7,500 people consulted their GP, which was rounded up to 21,500 to take into account those who may not have taken medical advice.

Ms Sturgeon said: "With the vaccination programme now well under way, I urge everyone in the priority groups to get the vaccine when invited to do so by their GP. This is a rolling programme, but everyone in the priority groups should be vaccinated by Christmas."

Figures also showed there were 64,000 estimated new cases in England last week, down from 84,000 the week before.

Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said the figures were difficult to interpret because officials said the impact of half-term could last for two weeks.

Next week's figures should give a fuller picture of how the virus is developing, he said.

Figures for swine flu tend to be higher when children are in school as they are known to spread the virus easily.

The data showed a rise in the number of people dying from the virus, with 124 deaths in England – up from 105 the previous week. The number of people in hospital has dropped slightly to 785, of whom 173 are in intensive care. In total, 182 people across the UK have died.

The Department of Health is publishing new guidance for pregnant women about the dangers of swine flu, urging them to have the vaccine.