Swine flu 'petering out'

Cases of flu - not necessarily swine flu - diagnosed by GPs last week fell to 6.7 for every 100,000 people, down from 9.75 the previous week.

Current levels of flu are below normal for the time of year.

No further swine flu-related deaths have been reported, leaving the Welsh total since the start of the outbreak at 28.

By Tuesday, the Assembly Government was aware of four patients in hospital with swine flu, three of them in critical care.

Children between six months and five years old this week started getting swine flu jabs.

Parents will be invited to bring about 170,000 children to GP surgeries during the second phase of the nationwide vaccination programme.

Youngsters in the age group are more likely to end up in hospital if they catch the virus.

Vaccinations began in the autumn for pregnant women, people with chronic conditions and people with weakened immune systems and their close contacts.

Dr Roland Salmon, of the National Public Health Service for Wales, said: "Swine flu appears to be petering out with evidence showing only limited circulation in some parts of Wales.

"In the last week, there has been just one new laboratory confirmed case identified.

"Our surveillance schemes show that levels of flu-like illness are falling.

"Nevertheless, I still strongly advise people to be aware of the symptoms of swine flu and of the steps that can be taken to prevent its spread.’’

Chief medical officer Dr Tony Jewell said: "Whilst numbers of infections continue to drop we are now in the traditional flu season and I encourage anyone invited to receive a swine flu jab to take up the offer.

"I strongly recommend parents and guardians of young children take up the invitation to have their children vaccinated as the benefit will last for several years, during which time the H1N1 virus will still be in circulation.

"Anyone else who has been offered inoculation but not taken up the offer can still contact their GP surgery to arrange an appointment.’’