Shropshire continues to have a higher rate of suspected swine flu cases than the national average, new figures show.
The reported level of GP consultations per 100,000 population within the Shropshire County Primary Care Trust was 48.6 this week.
This is higher than the England and Wales rate of 44.4 but lower than the West Midlands regional average of 60.9.
The number of people attending GPs with flu-like symptoms has increased in parts of Staffordshire, while they have fallen in some parts of Birmingham.
NHS West Midlands has also confirmed that one person with swine flu has died this week. However the patient is not believed to be from Shropshire.
The total number of deaths where there has been a positive test of swine flu in the West Midlands is now 32.
Dr Rashmi Shukla, director of public health with NHS West Midlands, said: “Sadly there has been one swine-flu related death this week in the West Midlands.
“We would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this patient.
“This sad news reminds us that even though most cases of swine flu are mild, it can be serious and potentially fatal and the people of this region should remain vigilant in helping prevent the spread of the virus.
“The message is simple – catch it, bin it, kill it.”
The public vaccination programme continues.
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9 Comments
…Suspected… not confirmed, I belive many are just run of the mill colds and I question how many people realy have had swine flu.A few weeks ago a few people I knew had bad colds some just had an headache for 24 hours and felt sick ALL thought they might have had swine flu.All this diagnose over the phone is adding to the figures as people exagerate symptoms.
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If you go by Wikipedia’s estimation of the population of Shropshire I make that 1 consultation {note ‘consultation’ – not ‘case’} per 9479 people. And my medical practice has withdrawn all magazines to combat cross contamination!!? Insanity..the lot of it. The drug companies must be laughing all the way to the bank…
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Its probbly because Shropshire in an agricultral county with more pigs than the national average.
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Can anyone tell me if the swine flu vaccine is always effective? That is, have there been any cases of swine flu in people who have been vaccinated against it?
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Lucy W – that is so funny! Not stopped laughing!
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I agree with Andrew Finch#1, this is almost as bad as ‘man-flu’ – one snivel and it life threatening!
Honestly *tut*
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I’m sure “catch it, bin it, kill it” is excellent advice, but can someone tell me why there has been no mention of the revolting (and illegal) habit of spitting in public places? These days it seems to be a popular pass time among people of all ages (usually preceded by the delightful sound of throat scraping).
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I’m sick of hearing swine flu uttered everytime someone so much as sneezes.
Bring on the Lemsip!
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Since patients are told to stay away from GP surgeries if they even think they have swine flu, it’s hardly surprising that there is a good deal of mis-diagnosis going on.
But we shouldn’t make light of this – a relative of mine has recently had genuine swine flu.
It was characterised by a persistent high temperature, and quickly developed into an unpleasant chest infection, reducing a previously healthy (non-smoking) person to the state of someone with a chronic lung disease – even climbing a few stairs left them breathless.
After eventually persuading the GP to see them, (he confirmed that the oxygen saturation in their blood was significantly reduced) and following 2 courses of antibiotics, they recovered, but it’s easy to see how the elderly, the very young and other vulnerable groups can quickly succumb to this.
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