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Don't panic, urge doctors as Yorkshire's swine flu death toll rises
DOCTORS have urged people not to panic following a significant increase in deaths linked to swine flu in Yorkshire.
Seven people with the virus have died in the region over the past fortnight, bringing the death toll to 16.
There have now been 124 deaths in England of people with the illness – up from 105 last week. In total, 182 people in the UK have died. Numbers of people in hospital have dropped slightly to 785, of whom 173 are in intensive care, across England.
Infection rates appear to have fallen in the past week but doctors believe this may be linked to the half-term holiday which has reduced its spread in schools. Highest rates of infection in Yorkshire are currently in Sheffield.
Officials are publishing new guidance to pregnant women about the dangers of swine flu amid evidence they face an increased risk from the virus.
Last night Prof Paul Johnstone, regional director of public health, confirmed an increase in deaths in recent weeks. "These patients were in at-risk groups and had significant underlying health problems," he said.
"There is no need to panic but this underlines the importance of all those in at-risk groups to have the vaccination when contacted by their GP."
Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said there had been an estimated 64,000 new cases in England last week, down from 84,000 the week before. But the figures were difficult to interpret because of the impact of half-term.
He said the Government was making a "strong recommendation" to pregnant women to have the jab as they were at higher risk of complications than many members of the public. "Our advice to pregnant women is if they are offered the vaccine, they should accept it," he said.
He said it was a difficult decision and a difficult time for pregnant women, who had concerns about being vaccinated but were also worried about swine flu.
But the Government would not recommend the vaccine if it was not convinced pregnant women were at higher risk.
No decision has yet been made on whether healthy children will be vaccinated against the virus amid evidence youngsters are more prone to the illness. Rates of hospital admission among under-fives are continuing to increase.
At present, the focus is on vaccinating people in high-risk groups, including health workers and those with illnesses such as diabetes, asthma and heart disease.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
