Five more cases of swine flu in Gwent (From South Wales Argus)

Five more cases of swine flu in Gwent

3:39pm Sunday 5th July 2009

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A FURTHER eight people have been diagnosed with swine flu in Wales, with five of them living in Gwent.

Three men from Newport, and two women, one from Blaenau Gwent and another from Caerphilly county borough, have been confirmed as suffering from the disease.

A total of 274 people have been under investigation in Wales, with 50 confirmed cases, 28 clinically presumed cases, 185 people ruled out and 11 still under investigation.

All of those investigated displayed mild symptons of the disease.

Dr Tony Jewell, chief medical officer for Wales, said: “We knew that there would be an increase in the number of cases and we have robust plans in place to deal with it.

“Scientific advice now is that there will continue to be a rise in the number of cases across the UK and, knowing the infection is circulating we should move to treatment rather than trying to slow the spread of disease.”

Anti-viral drugs are now only being offered to groups traditionally at risk from seasonal flu - those considered more susceptible to developing illness or complications - plus pregnant women and children under five.

Preventative medicine will no longer be given to people with whom a flu patient has been in contact and the tracing of any potential contacts will also stop.

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