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03/07/2009
Fourth UK Death From Swine Flu
On top of five new cases of swine flu being confirmed in Northern Ireland today, it has been revealed that a 19-year-old in London is the fourth person to die from swine flu in the UK.
The Stormont Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey said that he will now move to a 'treatment phase' to deal with the pandemic as things escalate.
Minister McGimpsey said antivirals would only now be offered to people who have contracted swine flu, and not those who might have simply been in contact with an infected person.
The tragic news from London came just hours after a sibling of an infected child at St Ronan's primary school in Newry - who already has the virus - was also diagnosed.
That case, and three other new ones yesterday brought the total number of people with swine flu in Northern Ireland on Thursday to 38.
Five new cases have been confirmed today, (Friday) with two of these cases being travel-related and three contacts of previously confirmed cases.
That brings the NI total today to 43 confirmed cases of swine flu.
In response, there will be only now be a step-by-step treatment approach, giving clinicians discretion on how best to treat a patient with swine flu.
It means that people who contract swine flu will still be offered antivirals but that they will no longer be used as a preventative measure.
In addition, the routine testing of suspected cases and the tracing of close contacts of a symptomatic patient will be discontinued.
The other three new NI cases are in adults who have recently returned from affected areas.
Mr McGimpsey said: "Health Ministers across all four administrations have noted clear scientific advice that the majority of cases in the UK so far have not been severe.
"Those people who have contracted the virus have generally made a full and rapid recovery - though a small minority of cases have had more serious illness.
"We have also considered whether we continue to offer antivirals to all patients displaying symptoms or whether a more targeted approach should be adopted, focusing on those most at risk of becoming more seriously ill," he continued.
"The Scientific Advisory Group in Emergencies has considered this question and reports that on balance the science points towards adopting a targeted approach, but acknowledges that this is a 'finely balanced' decision," he said.
However, they are also conscious that - as this is a new virus - it cannot yet with confidence be directly compared to seasonal flu.
"Given this, we have decided to adopt a safety first, precautionary approach and antivirals will continue to be offered only to people who have contracted swine flu," he explained.
Clear guidance is being issued to doctors to ensure that those at higher risk get priority access to antivirals, within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
See: Swine Flu Numbers Rise To 34
See: London Teenager Is 4th Swine Flu Victim
(BMcC/JM)
The Stormont Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey said that he will now move to a 'treatment phase' to deal with the pandemic as things escalate.
Minister McGimpsey said antivirals would only now be offered to people who have contracted swine flu, and not those who might have simply been in contact with an infected person.
The tragic news from London came just hours after a sibling of an infected child at St Ronan's primary school in Newry - who already has the virus - was also diagnosed.
That case, and three other new ones yesterday brought the total number of people with swine flu in Northern Ireland on Thursday to 38.
Five new cases have been confirmed today, (Friday) with two of these cases being travel-related and three contacts of previously confirmed cases.
That brings the NI total today to 43 confirmed cases of swine flu.
In response, there will be only now be a step-by-step treatment approach, giving clinicians discretion on how best to treat a patient with swine flu.
It means that people who contract swine flu will still be offered antivirals but that they will no longer be used as a preventative measure.
In addition, the routine testing of suspected cases and the tracing of close contacts of a symptomatic patient will be discontinued.
The other three new NI cases are in adults who have recently returned from affected areas.
Mr McGimpsey said: "Health Ministers across all four administrations have noted clear scientific advice that the majority of cases in the UK so far have not been severe.
"Those people who have contracted the virus have generally made a full and rapid recovery - though a small minority of cases have had more serious illness.
"We have also considered whether we continue to offer antivirals to all patients displaying symptoms or whether a more targeted approach should be adopted, focusing on those most at risk of becoming more seriously ill," he continued.
"The Scientific Advisory Group in Emergencies has considered this question and reports that on balance the science points towards adopting a targeted approach, but acknowledges that this is a 'finely balanced' decision," he said.
However, they are also conscious that - as this is a new virus - it cannot yet with confidence be directly compared to seasonal flu.
"Given this, we have decided to adopt a safety first, precautionary approach and antivirals will continue to be offered only to people who have contracted swine flu," he explained.
Clear guidance is being issued to doctors to ensure that those at higher risk get priority access to antivirals, within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
See: Swine Flu Numbers Rise To 34
See: London Teenager Is 4th Swine Flu Victim
(BMcC/JM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 January 2011
NI Swine Flu Cases Accelerating
Swine flu, the H1N1 virus is firmly back in the news as new cases continue to rise. A significant jump in infections recorded in Northern Ireland has seen the number of people treated for swine flu increase from 136 to 185 in the last week of 2010.
NI Swine Flu Cases Accelerating
Swine flu, the H1N1 virus is firmly back in the news as new cases continue to rise. A significant jump in infections recorded in Northern Ireland has seen the number of people treated for swine flu increase from 136 to 185 in the last week of 2010.
06 August 2009
Further Swine Flu Cases Confirmed
Lab tested cases of swine flu across Northern Ireland continue to rise. However, while many more people have been diagnosed as swine flu sufferers, the number of laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu have risen by just 16 - a far lower rate of increase than anywhere else in the British Isles.
Further Swine Flu Cases Confirmed
Lab tested cases of swine flu across Northern Ireland continue to rise. However, while many more people have been diagnosed as swine flu sufferers, the number of laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu have risen by just 16 - a far lower rate of increase than anywhere else in the British Isles.
17 December 2009
Shock Reminder Of Deadly Flu Virus
Although GP consultation rates for flu or flu-like symptoms continued their decrease - being down by 19% in the past week - there's been a shocking reminder of the possible deadly consequences of catching swine flu.
Shock Reminder Of Deadly Flu Virus
Although GP consultation rates for flu or flu-like symptoms continued their decrease - being down by 19% in the past week - there's been a shocking reminder of the possible deadly consequences of catching swine flu.
21 August 2009
'Sadness' As Swine Flu Death Revealed
Northern Ireland has suffered its first swine flu fatality. The woman died last night having been previously diagnosed with swine flu. She passed away in a Northern Ireland hospital and it is understood she had an underlying health condition.
'Sadness' As Swine Flu Death Revealed
Northern Ireland has suffered its first swine flu fatality. The woman died last night having been previously diagnosed with swine flu. She passed away in a Northern Ireland hospital and it is understood she had an underlying health condition.
05 February 2010
Swine Flu Cases Still Falling
The level of flu activity across Northern Ireland has again dropped. The Department of Health's weekly flu bulletin - covering the week ending Friday 29 January shows that GP consultation rates for flu have decreased from 23.2/100,000 population to 18.1/100,000 -a 22% decrease.
Swine Flu Cases Still Falling
The level of flu activity across Northern Ireland has again dropped. The Department of Health's weekly flu bulletin - covering the week ending Friday 29 January shows that GP consultation rates for flu have decreased from 23.2/100,000 population to 18.1/100,000 -a 22% decrease.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
