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'New phase' in swine flu approach Swine flu 'cannot be contained'
(about 1 hour later)
The government is set to signal a shift in its approach in the fight against swine flu, the BBC understands. The rising number of swine flu cases mean trying to contain the virus is no longer an option, ministers say.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham will give a statement to the House of Commons later saying the UK will be moving to the "treatment phase". Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced that the emergency response would now move to a new "treatment" phase.
It means health officials will no longer test everyone with symptoms. It means that anti-flu drugs will no longer be given to the close contacts of those infected nor will lab testing be used to confirm cases.
Instead, they will be told to stay at home while arrangements are made for them to get anti-viral drugs. It is not clear when these changes will kick in. The move has been made to relieve the pressure on the health service and has long been expected.
The impending move does not mean the pandemic virus is becoming more deadly, just that it can no longer be contained. The announcement, which comes into effect immediately, does not mean the pandemic virus is becoming more deadly, just that it can no longer be contained.
ContainmentContainment
Some parts of the UK, including Birmingham, London and Glasgow, where there have been the largest outbreaks have already started doing this. It means when people are displaying symptoms they should contact the NHS by phone.
But most of the country has still been operating under what is known as the "containment" phase. If doctors believe the person is suffering from swine flu they will be given a voucher which a friend or family member can take to a drug collection point, such as a pharmacy.
This involves people having swab tests taken by GPs or other health officials and their close contacts being chased up and offered drugs in a bid to stop it spreading. The need for lab testing had already been lifted in several hotspots, such as London and Glasgow.
The shift has long been anticipated by health experts. But the rest of the UK had been operating a containment strategy, which meant cases had to be confirmed and drugs were also offered to close contacts in a bid to prevent flu developing.
It also led the closure of several schools. This will still be an option under the new phase, but shut downs will not be routine.
Mr Burnham said: "The national focus will be on treating the increasing numbers affected by swine flu.
"Cases are doubling every week and on this trend we could see over 100,000 cases per day by the end of August."
But the health secretary said the attempts to contain the virus had been worthwhile.
"Our efforts during the containment phase have given us precious time to learn more about the virus.
"We have always known it would be impossible to contain the virus indefinitely and at some point we would need to move away from containment to treatment."
WHAT DOES NEW PHASE MEAN? The so-called treatment phase is effectively an acknowledgement that the virus can no longer be containedMany people reporting symptoms will be no longer tested to relieve the pressure on the health serviceInstead, if they have uncomplicated symptoms drugs will be arranged for them and they will be told to stay at homeWHAT DOES NEW PHASE MEAN? The so-called treatment phase is effectively an acknowledgement that the virus can no longer be containedMany people reporting symptoms will be no longer tested to relieve the pressure on the health serviceInstead, if they have uncomplicated symptoms drugs will be arranged for them and they will be told to stay at home
Last month Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson had said the containment phase had lasted much longer than the flu contingency plan had envisaged. He confirmed vaccines should be available from next month, with 60m doses available by the end of next year.
There have been nearly 7,000 confirmed cases in the UK since the outbreak first started and three deaths. There have been more than 7,000 confirmed cases in the UK since the first outbreak in April. Three people have died, but all had underlying health problems.
However, it is thought there will have been a number of people who did not get a formal diagnosis because their symptoms were so mild.However, it is thought there will have been a number of people who did not get a formal diagnosis because their symptoms were so mild.
Dr Alan Maryon-Davis, president of the UK Faculty of Public Health, praised the government's response, saying it was a "sensible policy".Dr Alan Maryon-Davis, president of the UK Faculty of Public Health, praised the government's response, saying it was a "sensible policy".
He said it was important the country geared up for the autumn when there is expected to be a surge in cases.He said it was important the country geared up for the autumn when there is expected to be a surge in cases.
"With a bit of luck we well have vaccines in place before the next phase of this flu comes along.""With a bit of luck we well have vaccines in place before the next phase of this flu comes along."
What advice are you getting about swine flu? Do you feel the message is clear about what is happening and what to do? Let us know by filling in the form below.What advice are you getting about swine flu? Do you feel the message is clear about what is happening and what to do? Let us know by filling in the form below.
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