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Source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wa...1466-25416185/
Another swine flu death in Wales as infection rates fall
Dec 17 2009 Madeleine Brindley, WalesOnline
ANOTHER person has died in Wales after contracting swine flu, the Assembly Government today said.
The swine flu-related death toll now stands at 27 in Wales.
Official figures reveal that the number of people falling ill with the H1N1 virus is continuing to fall.
Just over 700 people across Wales have flu-like symptoms. But an increase in respiratory syncytial virus has been detected in recent weeks and may be contributing to the current influenza like illness consultation rates.
Dr Tony Jewell, Wales? chief medical officer, said: ?It is encouraging that reported cases of swine flu have started to decrease.
?However I would urge everyone to still take precautions to minimise the risk of their spreading and contracting the virus.
?We are now in the traditional winter flu season and viral infections are likely to continue for the next few months.
?Over the Christmas break many of us will be spending more time than usual visiting family and friends and attending work parties and special functions.
?It is at times like this that it is easy for all strains of the flu virus to spread so if you have flu-like symptoms stay away.?
And Dr Roland Salmon, director of the National Public Health Service for Wales' communicable disease surveillance centre, said: "The number of people contacting their GP with flu symptoms across Wales as a whole is decreasing and is at a slightly lower level than we would expect to see at this time of year in a normal flu season.
"GPs involved in the NPHS influenza surveillance scheme and hospital doctors have continued to test people they think may have swine flu. The results show that there are other illnesses circulating in the community, with symptoms very similar to swine flu.
"The number of people who test positive for swine flu, as a proportion of all those being tested, is falling. Nevertheless, flu is still circulating so I still strongly advise people to be aware of the symptoms of swine flu and of the steps that can be taken to prevent its spread.
"People with flu-like symptoms should stay at home, observe good respiratory and hand hygiene and stay away from GP surgeries, A&E departments and pharmacies unless advised to attend, which will also help to limit the infection's spread."
Another swine flu death in Wales as infection rates fall
Dec 17 2009 Madeleine Brindley, WalesOnline
ANOTHER person has died in Wales after contracting swine flu, the Assembly Government today said.
The swine flu-related death toll now stands at 27 in Wales.
Official figures reveal that the number of people falling ill with the H1N1 virus is continuing to fall.
Just over 700 people across Wales have flu-like symptoms. But an increase in respiratory syncytial virus has been detected in recent weeks and may be contributing to the current influenza like illness consultation rates.
Dr Tony Jewell, Wales? chief medical officer, said: ?It is encouraging that reported cases of swine flu have started to decrease.
?However I would urge everyone to still take precautions to minimise the risk of their spreading and contracting the virus.
?We are now in the traditional winter flu season and viral infections are likely to continue for the next few months.
?Over the Christmas break many of us will be spending more time than usual visiting family and friends and attending work parties and special functions.
?It is at times like this that it is easy for all strains of the flu virus to spread so if you have flu-like symptoms stay away.?
And Dr Roland Salmon, director of the National Public Health Service for Wales' communicable disease surveillance centre, said: "The number of people contacting their GP with flu symptoms across Wales as a whole is decreasing and is at a slightly lower level than we would expect to see at this time of year in a normal flu season.
"GPs involved in the NPHS influenza surveillance scheme and hospital doctors have continued to test people they think may have swine flu. The results show that there are other illnesses circulating in the community, with symptoms very similar to swine flu.
"The number of people who test positive for swine flu, as a proportion of all those being tested, is falling. Nevertheless, flu is still circulating so I still strongly advise people to be aware of the symptoms of swine flu and of the steps that can be taken to prevent its spread.
"People with flu-like symptoms should stay at home, observe good respiratory and hand hygiene and stay away from GP surgeries, A&E departments and pharmacies unless advised to attend, which will also help to limit the infection's spread."
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