What is the current H1N1 swine flu pandemic situation in the UK?

Answer 1

There may be some ongoing cases in limited locations around the world, including in the UK. However, the specifics and counts of cases are no longer being tracked by CDC, WHO, the US states, and most other countries, now that the pandemic has been declared over. Influenza cases are monitored, but specific H1N1/09 counts (and the lab tests needed to isolate the specific virus to be able to count them correctly) aren't being done. Influenza cases in general are monitored, but statistics are not being kept for H1N1/09 cases separately from other influenza types for reporting any longer in the post pandemic phase.

UPDATE 11/22/09 The latest figures of cases and deaths in the UK as of November 22, 2009 are:

22,340 cases and 216 deaths.

Just recently, some patients in a hospital in Wales were tested and found to have a mutated strain of A-H1N1/09 that is Tamiflu resistant and for the first time, it is believed to have passed from patient to patient. Until now, the mutated strains had not been known to have person to person transmission and were more unique to individuals. This is still under study, but the patients were all in a unit for severely ill patients and it is believed that their underlying illness and serious conditions were likely a component of this spread of the mutated virus. [See the related question below about the Current Situation for more details, "Which cities states or countries have cases or deaths of Swine Flu?"

The following Alert was released July 31, 2009 by the National Health Service (NHS):

Alert: Important information about swine flu Last updated 6:41 AM Friday 31 July 2009

Important changes have been announced to the way in which the NHS is managing the growing swine flu pandemic in England. Read the latest official advice to help protect yourself, your family and others.

Key messages

If you have flu-like symptoms and are concerned that you may have swine flu:

• Read up on swine flu symptoms [see link "A" in related links below]
• Stay at home and check your condition at the National Pandemic Flu Service [link "B" below]
• You should call your GP directly if:

- you have a serious underlying illness

- you are pregnant

- you have a sick child under one year old

- your condition suddenly gets much worse

- your condition is still getting worse after seven days (or five days for a child)

Note: The National Pandemic Flu Service is a self-care service that will asses your symptoms and, if required, provide an authorisation number which can be used to collect antiviral medication from a local collection point. For those who do not have internet access, the same service can be accessed by telephone on:

• Telephone: 0800 1 513 100
• Minicom: 0800 1 513 200

For more information on the National Pandemic Flu Service go to Flu Service - Q&A [link "C" below]

Key actions

Swine flu is spreading fast in the UK. Prepare now by:

• Learning to recognise the symptoms of swine flu
• Establishing 'flu friends' - friends and relatives who can help if you fall ill
• Keeping paracetamol-based cold remedies in the house
• Having a thermometer available so you can check your temperature if needed

Note: If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours please check on them. They may need your help but be reluctant to ask for it. It is important you do what you can.

Key reading

• For daily updates on the swine flu outbreak go to Swine flu latest news [link "D" below]
• For an explanation of swine flu, its symptoms and treatment, go to Swine flu A-Z [link "E" below]
• For quick questions and answers go to Swine flu Q&A [link "C" below]
• For information on pregnancy go to Swine flu - pregnant women [link "F" below]
• For information on other high-risk goups go to Swine flu - high-risk groups [link "G" below]
• For information in other languages and formats, including British Sign Language video, go to Swine flu - other languages. [link "H" below]

Note: To order a Braille copy of the swine flu information leaflet, call the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513

Good hygiene

Preventing the spread of germs is the single most effective way to slow the spread of diseases such as swine flu. You should always:

• Ensure everyone washes their hands regularly with soap and water
• Clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs
• Use tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
• Place used tissues in a bin as soon as possible

Further information

Go to Directgov [link "I" below] for essential cross-government information on swine flu, including latest advice on travel, schools and other public services

Go to BusinessLink [link "J" below] for essential information to help businesses deal with the effects of swine flu

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland go to this pandemic flu information page. [link "K" below] It will direct you to swine flu information and treatment advice in your area.

Tamiflu Side Effects in Children 7/31/09

According to research from the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training and colleagues from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in London which was published in Eurosurveillance, the peer-reviewed journal of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, children are having neuropsychiatric side effects from Tamiflu such as nightmares, inability to concentrate, insomnia, and slight confusion.

The article at the NHS web site (link is provided to the full article in the related links section below), states:

". . . more than half of children taking Tamiflu to combat swine flu suffer side effects such as nausea, insomnia and nightmares," said The Daily Telegraph. It also said the study suggests that one in five children who took part reported having a neuropsychiatric side effect."