Swine Flu Incidences Slowing Down

There were falling numbers of GP consultations for swine flu last week.

The number of anti-viral prescriptions for people with swine flu in Northern Ireland has also fallen - to 577 from 1,059 - over the last week. However, the Department of Health also said that GP consultations "remain significantly higher than this time last year".

In its weekly swine flu update, NI officials said that, so far, 47 people have received hospital treatment in NI for swine flu, with nine admissions last week.

There were 25 new cases of confirmed swine flu during the week, with 145 confirmed since the outbreak began.

In marked contrast to the rest of the UK, there has been only one death related to swine flu - that of a cancer patient - and one of a local TA soldier who died from the virus in Great Britain.

Nationally too, figures are down - but there has been a warning not to be complacent as a sharp rise is expected in the autumn.

NI's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said the number of GP contacts had fallen for the third week in a row.

"Primary care services continue to cope well despite the increased demand on their services," she said.

Across the UK the number of new cases of swine flu are also falling.

Department of Health figures show that in the past week there were 5,000 infections in England - compared to over 100,000 at the start of the month.

However, the UK's Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said the NHS and wider public must not be lulled into thinking the worst had passed.

See: 'Sadness' As Swine Flu Death Revealed

(BMcC/KMcA)