Swine Flu could be declared an epidemic

11/06/2009

New hospitalised cases in Scotland in line with rate in the US

The World Health Organisation has called an emergency meeting of experts to discuss the continued spreading of swine flu, and may be ready to declare a pandemic.

Yesterday WHO Director-General Margaret Chan quizzed eight countries with large outbreaks to decide whether a pandemic, or global epidemic, should be declared.

For a full pandemic the WHO would have to confirm the sustained spread of the virus in one country in another region besides the Americas.

In Scotland, a further 47 new confirmed cases of swine flu were confirmed yesterday in the biggest daily increase so far north of the border.

The Scottish Government has announced changes to the handling of swine flu cases, with doctors being used to make diagnoses in some areas.

Ministers stressed most people with the virus had relatively mild symptoms, and anti-virals, such as Tamiflu, would also only be given to the very close contacts of those with the virus to prevent the virus developing resistance.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "Based on this experience, Health Protection Scotland has expressed the view that sustained community transmission appears to be taking place."

She added: "Of the 311 confirmed cases in Scotland, 18 have been admitted to hospital for clinical reasons, giving us a hospitalisation rate broadly in line with that seen in the United States."