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| Swine flu 'cannot be contained' | Swine flu 'cannot be contained' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The rising number of swine flu cases mean trying to contain the virus is no longer an option, the government says. | The rising number of swine flu cases mean trying to contain the virus is no longer an option, the government says. |
| Minsiters said the emergency response would now move to a new "treatment" phase across the UK as there may soon be 100,000 new cases a day. | Minsiters said the emergency response would now move to a new "treatment" phase across the UK as there may soon be 100,000 new cases a day. |
| It means anti-flu drugs will no longer be given to the close contacts of those infected nor will lab testing be done to confirm cases. | It means anti-flu drugs will no longer be given to the close contacts of those infected nor will lab testing be done to confirm cases. |
| The move has been made to relieve the pressure on the health service. | The move has been made to relieve the pressure on the health service. |
| The announcement, which comes into effect immediately, has long been expected. | The announcement, which comes into effect immediately, has long been expected. |
| It does not mean the pandemic virus is becoming more deadly, just that it can no longer be contained. | It does not mean the pandemic virus is becoming more deadly, just that it can no longer be contained. |
| WHAT DOES NEW PHASE MEAN? The so-called treatment phase is effectively an acknowledgement that the virus can no longer be contained Many people reporting symptoms will be no longer tested to relieve the pressure on the health service Instead, if they have uncomplicated symptoms drugs will be arranged for them and they will be told to stay at homeGPs have been given the discretion not to prescribe anti-flu drugs. For example, if they are inundated with calls | |
| When people are displaying symptoms, they should contact the NHS by phone, the government said. | |
| If doctors believe the person is suffering from swine flu they will be told to stay at home and be given a voucher which a friend or family member can take to a drug collection point, such as a pharmacy. | |
| Although GPs will have the discretion not to prescribe anti-viral drugs. Some experts believe they should just be targeted at the most vulnerable as the virus is quite mild and overuse can lead to resistance. | |
| Ministers rejected this option, but said doctors may want to limit use in certain situations where they may be inundated with calls. | |
| The need for lab testing had already been lifted in several hotspots, such as London and Glasgow. | The need for lab testing had already been lifted in several hotspots, such as London and Glasgow. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Andy Burnham, the health secretary in England, 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." | "Cases are doubling every week and on this trend we could see over 100,000 cases per day by the end of August." |
| 'Worthwhile' | |
| But he 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. | "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." | "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." |
| He confirmed vaccines should be available from next month, with 60m doses available by the end of next year. | He confirmed vaccines should be available from next month, with 60m doses available by the end of next year. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |