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UK swine flu cases soar past 800 UK swine flu cases soar past 800
(about 1 hour later)
A further 25 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in England, bringing the UK total to 822.A further 25 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in England, bringing the UK total to 822.
Laboratory staff are investigating another 866 suspected cases, the Health Protection Agency has said.Laboratory staff are investigating another 866 suspected cases, the Health Protection Agency has said.
The number of confirmed cases in Scotland remains at 311, with two in Wales and seven in Northern Ireland.The number of confirmed cases in Scotland remains at 311, with two in Wales and seven in Northern Ireland.
The World Health Organization has reportedly declared a global pandemic, following a sharp increase in the number of cases in Australia. The World Health Organization has declared a global pandemic, following a sharp increase in the number of cases in Australia.
UK Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: "People should not be alarmed".
"This does not fundamentally alter our approach. The disease has not so far been severe for the majority of people affected."
Maintaining good hygiene was the best line of defence, he added.
Pandemic status means the infection is spreading in at least two regions of the world.Pandemic status means the infection is spreading in at least two regions of the world.
While the virus originated in Mexico in April, it has since spread to 74 countries, infected 28,000 people and caused 141 deaths. While the virus originated in Mexico in April, it has since spread to 74 countries, infected nearly 30,000 people and caused 141 deaths.
We need to avoid complacency in dealing with a virus that is an unknown and seems to be spreading quickly Steve Barnett, NHS Confederation
Rising numbers of cases have been seen in the UK, Australia, Japan and Chile.Rising numbers of cases have been seen in the UK, Australia, Japan and Chile.
'No complacency'
One of the UK's worst-hit areas is Scotland, with the majority of cases affecting the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.One of the UK's worst-hit areas is Scotland, with the majority of cases affecting the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
The Scottish government said the rate of hospital admissions was on a par with that in the US, leading to changes to the handling of swine flu cases.The Scottish government said the rate of hospital admissions was on a par with that in the US, leading to changes to the handling of swine flu cases.
Doctors are being used to make diagnoses in some areas, rather than waiting for the results of laboratory tests, and can prescribe anti-viral drugs to those who have been in close contact.Doctors are being used to make diagnoses in some areas, rather than waiting for the results of laboratory tests, and can prescribe anti-viral drugs to those who have been in close contact.
Steve Barnett, chief executive of the NHS Confederation - which represents health trusts across the UK - said the pandemic declaration reinforced the need for comprehensive local plans for coping with swine flu to be thoroughly tested.Steve Barnett, chief executive of the NHS Confederation - which represents health trusts across the UK - said the pandemic declaration reinforced the need for comprehensive local plans for coping with swine flu to be thoroughly tested.
"We need to avoid complacency in dealing with a virus that is an unknown and seems to be spreading quickly," he said."We need to avoid complacency in dealing with a virus that is an unknown and seems to be spreading quickly," he said.
Mr Barnett said health chiefs had time to put safeguards in place before winter, when the spread of the H1N1 virus was expected to accelerate.Mr Barnett said health chiefs had time to put safeguards in place before winter, when the spread of the H1N1 virus was expected to accelerate.
"Everything needs to be in place, from the establishment of anti-viral collection points in the community to planning for larger numbers of hospitalised children, to deal with a situation that few working in the service have ever experienced," he added."Everything needs to be in place, from the establishment of anti-viral collection points in the community to planning for larger numbers of hospitalised children, to deal with a situation that few working in the service have ever experienced," he added.
Of the new cases in England, 10 were in the West Midlands, five in the South East, four each in the North East and London, and one each in the East and South West regions.Of the new cases in England, 10 were in the West Midlands, five in the South East, four each in the North East and London, and one each in the East and South West regions.