Swine Flu Media Bulletin, Wales

Spread and extent of the outbreak — 2 confirmed cases in Wales: – A 66 year old female from the Swansea local authority area. She has mild flu symptoms, has been offered antivirals and is recovering at home. Her illness is related to travel to an affected area. The NPHS is tracing close contacts to check if any have flu symptoms and to offer them antiviral medicine. Antivirals are offered as treatment to people who are ill and to aid prevention to people who are well but have been in close contact with a case.
- A 31 year old male from the Caerphilly local authority area. He had mild flu symptoms, was offered antivirals and has now recovered.

– 0 probable cases in Wales.

–108 people have been under investigation in Wales. Of these, swine flu has been confirmed in two cases (see above) and ruled out in 98 cases, leaving eight still under investigation. All of these are displaying, or have displayed, mild symptoms.

– Of the eight people under investigation, six were well when first identified, but reported recent flu-like symptoms following travel to affected areas. Blood tests are being undertaken on these individuals to see if they had the flu and to help the NPHS understand the pattern of the disease from the past. Their symptoms may or may not have been due to swine flu. Testing will be conducted in a number of weeks to check whether these people did have swine flu – scientifically it won’t work before that. Investigations have shown that people they had close contact with did not catch flu from them when they were ill.

– There are now 459 confirmed cases in the UK – two cases in Wales, 119 cases in Scotland, 336 cases in England and two in Northern Ireland.

– For the latest international figures for the spread of swine flu, visit the website of the World Health Organization at www.who.int

– No further details will be confirmed or denied about cases in order to protect their right to confidentiality.

Comment from Welsh Assembly Government and National Public Health Service for Wales

– Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, said:

“We have made it clear all along that there would be cases in Wales and everyone must continue to be vigilant and try to reduce the spread of the virus.

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