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Swine flu cases pass 1,000 in UK | Swine flu cases pass 1,000 in UK |
(about 23 hours later) | |
The number of confirmed swine flu cases in the UK has reached 1,004, health authorities have confirmed. | |
The Health Protection Agency said there were 921 confirmed cases in the UK, with 72 new cases in England. | The Health Protection Agency said there were 921 confirmed cases in the UK, with 72 new cases in England. |
Later, Scottish health authorities confirmed a further 83 cases, most of them in Greater Glasgow and Clyde. | Later, Scottish health authorities confirmed a further 83 cases, most of them in Greater Glasgow and Clyde. |
Health Secretary Andy Burnham told the Commons that the government did not believe that it could prevent a widespread outbreak "indefinitely". | Health Secretary Andy Burnham told the Commons that the government did not believe that it could prevent a widespread outbreak "indefinitely". |
See a map of confirmed UK cases | See a map of confirmed UK cases |
Seventy-four of the new cases are in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Scotland to 420. | Seventy-four of the new cases are in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Scotland to 420. |
Two more people have been admitted to hospital, bringing the total number to 11. Five more schools have been closed. | Two more people have been admitted to hospital, bringing the total number to 11. Five more schools have been closed. |
HPA figures showed there were 58 new cases in the West Midlands. | HPA figures showed there were 58 new cases in the West Midlands. |
The total number in the West Midlands is up to 229, which represents almost half of all England's cases. | The total number in the West Midlands is up to 229, which represents almost half of all England's cases. |
In a statement to the Commons earlier on Friday, Mr Burnham said 28 people had been admitted to hospital since the outbreak began. | In a statement to the Commons earlier on Friday, Mr Burnham said 28 people had been admitted to hospital since the outbreak began. |
Mr Burnham stressed that most of those people had made a full recovery. | Mr Burnham stressed that most of those people had made a full recovery. |
He said: "We recognised from the outset that we would be unlikely to prevent a widespread outbreak indefinitely." | He said: "We recognised from the outset that we would be unlikely to prevent a widespread outbreak indefinitely." |
Pandemic | Pandemic |
The UK has enough anti-viral drugs for 50% of the population and planned to raise that figure to 80%, Mr Burnham added. | The UK has enough anti-viral drugs for 50% of the population and planned to raise that figure to 80%, Mr Burnham added. |
The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic following a sharp increase in the number of cases in Australia. | The World Health Organization has declared a pandemic following a sharp increase in the number of cases in Australia. |
Mr Burnham said: "In recent days there have been significant increases in the daily number of cases in certain parts of the UK - most notably Scotland where Health Protection Scotland has concluded that sustained community transmission appears to be taking place. | Mr Burnham said: "In recent days there have been significant increases in the daily number of cases in certain parts of the UK - most notably Scotland where Health Protection Scotland has concluded that sustained community transmission appears to be taking place. |
"This is characterised by an increased number of sporadic cases. That is cases with no identifiable link with other confirmed cases." | "This is characterised by an increased number of sporadic cases. That is cases with no identifiable link with other confirmed cases." |
But he said the rise came as "no surprise" and was in line with what ministers knew about similar outbreaks. | But he said the rise came as "no surprise" and was in line with what ministers knew about similar outbreaks. |
Health minister Andy Burnham: "We now have enough anti-virals to treat half the UK population" | Health minister Andy Burnham: "We now have enough anti-virals to treat half the UK population" |
He said it was vital that the global community worked together and stated that the government had set aside a further £6m to help the international response. | He said it was vital that the global community worked together and stated that the government had set aside a further £6m to help the international response. |
Mr Burnham said that at some point the focus would need to move from limiting the spread of a localised virus, to "mitigating the effects of a widespread virus". | Mr Burnham said that at some point the focus would need to move from limiting the spread of a localised virus, to "mitigating the effects of a widespread virus". |
He said: "That point has not been reached yet." | He said: "That point has not been reached yet." |
Infection | Infection |
Mr Burnham added: "We have advance purchase agreements which enable the UK to purchase up to 132 million doses of pandemic-specific vaccine - enough for two doses for 100% of the population, should this be necessary." | Mr Burnham added: "We have advance purchase agreements which enable the UK to purchase up to 132 million doses of pandemic-specific vaccine - enough for two doses for 100% of the population, should this be necessary." |
The government has also ordered 226m face masks, 34m respirators and 15.2m courses of antibiotics. | The government has also ordered 226m face masks, 34m respirators and 15.2m courses of antibiotics. |
Mr Burnham also said there were no immediate plans for widespread closures of schools. | Mr Burnham also said there were no immediate plans for widespread closures of schools. |
He said: "Obviously, there may be circumstances where the Health Protection Agency consider it necessary to advise school closures because that may help with local containment of the disease." | He said: "Obviously, there may be circumstances where the Health Protection Agency consider it necessary to advise school closures because that may help with local containment of the disease." |
Meanwhile, shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley praised the work of those involved in tackling the outbreak and called for more effort to help poorer countries. | Meanwhile, shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley praised the work of those involved in tackling the outbreak and called for more effort to help poorer countries. |
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 nearly 30,000 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. |
Return to top | Return to top |