Cases of swine flu start to rise (From York Press)

Cases of swine flu start to rise

10:47am Saturday 19th September 2009 in Swine flu By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

THE number of suspected swine flu cases in York and North Yorkshire has started to rise again, following a late-summer lull.

New figures have revealed there were more than 20 consultations for influenza-like illness per 100,000 patients over the fortnight to September 16, compared with 16 in late August/early September.

Over the last fortnight, York Hospital has also admitted three patients with flu-like illnesses, with another four admitted to other hospitals in North Yorkshire. However, a hospital spokesman said there were none currently in the hospital.

There are now 143 people in hospital in England suspected of having the illness, of whom 23 are in intensive care.

The increase in suspected cases in York and North Yorkshire is in line with national trends, with the number of cases nationwide in the last week rising from an estimated 3,000 to 5,000.

That number is still considerably less than a high of around 100,000 cases six weeks ago, but chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson has said that the latest data suggests an upturn is on the way.

The rise is also in line with the expectations of health experts in North Yorkshire, who have believed for some time that numbers would start growing again once children returned to school from their summer holidays.

Dr Peter Brambleby, director of public health at NHS North Yorkshire and York, said earlier this month it was working with its partners in health, social care and education to plan for a possible increase in cases after the return to school and after colder weather set in.

The trust said then it might recall recently retired staff to provide support for frontline services if there was a major upsurge in swine flu this winter.

It said it would be offering the seasonal and the swine flu vaccine, when available, to all staff to help protect them and to help protect vulnerable patients.