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Source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/h...asles-is-main-threat-to-wales-91466-23746514/
Measles is ?main threat to Wales?
May 30 2009 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail
PUBLIC health experts are bracing themselves for more cases of swine flu after Wales? first probable case was identified.
But officials last night said the emergence of the H1N1 virus would not take precedence over the current measles outbreak sweeping across Wales.
As it emerged that a 31-year-old man from Caerphilly borough county is being treated for swine flu, it is understood another handful of measles cases have been identified in Wales? largest outbreak of the disease. There are more than 240 cases across large parts of Wales and 32 people have been hospitalised.
Dr Roland Salmon, director of the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre at the National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS), said: ?In terms of the body of illness that we have and the extent to which it occupies the health protection teams, measles remains more important.
?In terms of the potential to present difficulties, I would vote for swine flu ? but we regard them both as important.?
And Dr Meirion Evans, an epidemiologist at the NPHS, said: ?Across the UK, only two or three people have been admitted to hospital with swine flu. At the moment measles is the main threat in Wales.
?Parents should be getting their children protected with MMR.?
Dr Tony Jewell, Wales? chief medical officer, last night advised people to remain calm but to take simple precautions to protect themselves against the threat of swine flu.
The suspected swine flu case in Caerphilly is understood to be recovering well and eight close family members have been offered antiviral drugs, although they are not showing any flu-like symptoms.
UK public health officials are tracing people who sat close to the man on his return flight from the US to Gatwick last weekend, when he became ill.
It is understood that the man contacted his GP once at home. He has been advised to stay at home until his symptoms have disappeared.
Dr 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.
?It is likely that further cases will continue to emerge and we are continuing to monitor the situation very closely. However, while numbers remain low, our focus continues to be on learning as much as we can about the virus and working to slow its spread.
?Although it is natural for people to feel apprehensive, we would like to reassure the public that we have been working to prepare for the arrival of the virus for many years and have robust procedures in place.?
Dr Salmon said: ?I would think that we will see more cases in Wales and I?m a bit surprised that it has taken us this long to see our first.
?If you import swine flu 55% of the time that it is brought in it spreads, in the rest it just fizzles out because the person doesn?t have enough social contacts to spread it.?
Dr Evans added: ?By and large adults have been less good at spreading flu ? most of the outbreaks that have occurred have been in relation to children.?
The Welsh Assembly Government and the NPHS are continuing to advise anyone with flu-like symptoms who has travelled to countries which have swine flu, particularly North America, to contact their GP or NHS Direct.
Dr Salmon added: ?People should not go to A&E departments or to their GP surgery without ringing first, as this may risk spreading the infection. It also places undue pressure on the emergency services.
?Although there are indications that this flu is mild, we know that seasonal flu can be severe, particularly for elderly and vulnerable people, so there is still good reason for us all to take action to reduce its effects.
?Flu is often confused with a bad cold but is in fact far more serious and leads to many deaths each year in Wales.?
NHS Direct Wales can be contacted on 0845 46 47
Measles is ?main threat to Wales?
May 30 2009 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail
PUBLIC health experts are bracing themselves for more cases of swine flu after Wales? first probable case was identified.
But officials last night said the emergence of the H1N1 virus would not take precedence over the current measles outbreak sweeping across Wales.
As it emerged that a 31-year-old man from Caerphilly borough county is being treated for swine flu, it is understood another handful of measles cases have been identified in Wales? largest outbreak of the disease. There are more than 240 cases across large parts of Wales and 32 people have been hospitalised.
Dr Roland Salmon, director of the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre at the National Public Health Service for Wales (NPHS), said: ?In terms of the body of illness that we have and the extent to which it occupies the health protection teams, measles remains more important.
?In terms of the potential to present difficulties, I would vote for swine flu ? but we regard them both as important.?
And Dr Meirion Evans, an epidemiologist at the NPHS, said: ?Across the UK, only two or three people have been admitted to hospital with swine flu. At the moment measles is the main threat in Wales.
?Parents should be getting their children protected with MMR.?
Dr Tony Jewell, Wales? chief medical officer, last night advised people to remain calm but to take simple precautions to protect themselves against the threat of swine flu.
The suspected swine flu case in Caerphilly is understood to be recovering well and eight close family members have been offered antiviral drugs, although they are not showing any flu-like symptoms.
UK public health officials are tracing people who sat close to the man on his return flight from the US to Gatwick last weekend, when he became ill.
It is understood that the man contacted his GP once at home. He has been advised to stay at home until his symptoms have disappeared.
Dr 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.
?It is likely that further cases will continue to emerge and we are continuing to monitor the situation very closely. However, while numbers remain low, our focus continues to be on learning as much as we can about the virus and working to slow its spread.
?Although it is natural for people to feel apprehensive, we would like to reassure the public that we have been working to prepare for the arrival of the virus for many years and have robust procedures in place.?
Dr Salmon said: ?I would think that we will see more cases in Wales and I?m a bit surprised that it has taken us this long to see our first.
?If you import swine flu 55% of the time that it is brought in it spreads, in the rest it just fizzles out because the person doesn?t have enough social contacts to spread it.?
Dr Evans added: ?By and large adults have been less good at spreading flu ? most of the outbreaks that have occurred have been in relation to children.?
The Welsh Assembly Government and the NPHS are continuing to advise anyone with flu-like symptoms who has travelled to countries which have swine flu, particularly North America, to contact their GP or NHS Direct.
Dr Salmon added: ?People should not go to A&E departments or to their GP surgery without ringing first, as this may risk spreading the infection. It also places undue pressure on the emergency services.
?Although there are indications that this flu is mild, we know that seasonal flu can be severe, particularly for elderly and vulnerable people, so there is still good reason for us all to take action to reduce its effects.
?Flu is often confused with a bad cold but is in fact far more serious and leads to many deaths each year in Wales.?
NHS Direct Wales can be contacted on 0845 46 47