There are considerable variations in the numbers of confirmed cases of swine flu globally with widespread activity in some countries whilst others report localised or regional peaks in numbers.
There are, however, indications of decreasing numbers in some countries including the UK, USA, Canada and New Zealand, although it is anticipated that the UK will have second wave of cases in the autumn when the “flu season” commences.
Whilst the number of new cases being confirmed appears to be in decline, the number of hospital admissions related to H1N1 in the UK has increased. Most hospitalisations arise in patients who have developed complications or have underlying conditions.
In Europe, high levels of cases are still being reported in Germany which has now reported the second highest number of cases after the UK, however the level of activity in most European countries has been reported as low (ECDC), and cases continue to be mild.
The most common group of patients requiring hospitalisation appears to be children under 5 years old. According to UK researchers, the use of anti-viral drugs at this age does not significantly reduce the chance of progression to severe disease (although it may possibly reduce the duration of the flu by a day). In addition, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MRHA) has been collating data on suspected side effects and it appears that children have a higher incidence of vomiting and diarrhoea than adults when taking the antiviral.
Tamiflu continues to be given, however, to children with confirmed cases of H1N1 in the UK.
The launch of the National Flu Service in the UK has had a marked impact on the number of GP contacts taking the pressure off GP services dealing with swine flu enquiries.
Concerns about the accuracy of diagnostic decisions remain, with further media reports of misdiagnosis and the lack of medical expertise of the call handlers, some of whom have been reported to be as young as 16 years old.
The pharmaceutical companies Novartis, Baxter and GlaxoSmithKline have announced the commencement of human trials of a vaccine in China, Australia, USA, UK, and Germany.
A proposal has also been put to The NHS National Institute for Health Research by a Bristol University Professor of Paediatrics for a vaccine trial in children aged 6 months-12 years. The proposal, if approved, will see voluntary trials of 800-900 children take place in 5 Cities in England.
In Europe and the USA plans are in place for regulatory bodies to fast track approval of the vaccines which, according to the WHO, are based upon conventional creation methods but with the use of new technology.
First Assist is able to provide a service for employers to monitor the impact of swine flu on their employee’s sickness absence. Information on this service is available at: http://www.first-assist.com/shownews.aspx?ID=42
Further information
CDC:http;//www.cdc/gov/h1n1flu
WHO:http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
ECDC:http//www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/health
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