THE number of swine flu cases in the North West appear to be falling – but health chiefs are asking people to remain vigilant.
New figures show that nationally the number of estimated new cases for the past seven days is 30,000 compared to 100,000 for the week before.
In the North West the daily total for the number of anti-virals collected on August 5 fell from 4,216 on July 29 to 2,885 on August 5.
Calls to the National Pandemic Flu Service are down from 8,179 to 5,168.
Dr Ruth Hussey, North West director of public health said: “The National Pandemic Flu Service is working well in the region. It has taken the pressure off GPs who are able to concentrate on treating people with other illnesses and it is referring on to other services those people who may have other serious health problems or underlying health concerns.
“However we need people to be vigilant and continue to use their own judgement. If you contact the national flu service or your GP and are diagnosed with swine flu, but continue to have concerns, it is important to contact your GP as soon as possible. This is particularly important if the person concerned is a child, is pregnant, or has an underlying health problem.”
Anyone contacting the National Pandemic Flu Service is asked a series of questions that have been put together by clinical experts, designed to identify those with swine flu and those that could have other conditions.
Dr Andrew Coley, a GP based in Stockport and clinical advisor to the strategic health authority said: “The majority of people who catch the swine flu virus will experience mild to moderate symptoms. But it is vitally important that anyone who has concerns, or whose condition suddenly deteriorates or fails to improve, contacts their GP as soon as possible.”
Commenting on the fall in the use of the National Pandemic Flu Service, he while this was reassuring, people needed to continue to be vigilant as there could be another surge in swine flu in the next few months.
Anyone who thinks they may have contracted the swine flu virus can contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on-line at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu on call 0800 1 513 513 for information or 0800 1 513 100 for treatment.
