Swine flu cases remain

near their lowest level since the early stages of the disease in the

United Kingdom, according to a statistical bulletin from the Chief

Medical Officer for England, published today.

The

bulletin also shows that the swine flu vaccination programme has

gathered pace since Christmas, as more people in groups at risk from

swine flu including the under fives, are being vaccinated.

The

Chief Medical Officer has stressed the importance of being vaccinated

to prevent complications, hospital admissions and death in potential

future outbreaks of the disease, as swine flu is likely to be the

predominant influenza virus during the 2010 flu season.

Patients

continue to be hospitalised and admitted to critical care facilities,

although these numbers are in decline. A substantial number of deaths

from the last few months are still being investigated.

Key statistics in the bulletin are:

Swine flu cases

In

England, the rate of general practitioner consultations for influenza

like illness was 12.5 per 100,000 population for the week ending 31

January 2010.There are still 124 patients in hospital with swine flu in England, 29 of whom are in critical care.The

Health Protection Agency overall estimate of the number of cases in the

last week remains below 5,000, where it has been for the last six weeks.

National Pandemic Flu Service

The

number of people receiving antiviral drugs through the National

Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) in the week ending 2 February 2010 was

4,730.This

represents a fall from the figure of 6,337 for the week ending 18

January 2010 and is the lowest weekly number since the NPFS was

activated. With

levels of swine flu currently low the NPFS will close at 1am on

Thursday 11 February. Should the situation change, the service can be

restored to full operation in seven days.

Vaccination programme

The total estimated number of front line health and social care workers vaccinated to-date in England is 393,000.The total number of vaccine doses administered to the priority groups in England to-date is 4.25 million. This figure includes: 140,000 pregnant women; and404,000 healthy children aged 6 months to under 5 years in England.

Commenting on the latest figures, Sir Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer for England said:

“I

am pleased to see increasing uptake of vaccine amongst the under fives.

Deaths in this age group have been deeply distressing.

“When the virus returns I would very much like to see young children already protected.

“From

now on, most deaths from the pandemic flu virus should be regarded as

potentially preventable; general practitioners have the vaccine and

stand ready to offer this vital protection. Parents should contact

their general practitioner now to make an appointment.

“Young

children who have the jab now will be protected should H1N1 (2009)

influenza return in the next flu season. Pregnant women and those in

all other at-risk groups should continue to have the vaccine as well.”