2009 swine flu pandemic in the United Kingdom

none Flu pandemic in the United Kingdom other flu pandemics Flu pandemic#Influenza pandemics 2009 flu pandemic by country June 2022 June 2022 2009 swine flu pandemic in the UK Swine flu H1N1 27 April 2009 (First cases in Scotland)Swine Influenza (Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza) 28 September 2009 Health Protection Agency http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1240732817665 26 October 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091119131921/http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb%26Page%26HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1240732817665 19 November 2009 dead North America, possibly Central Mexico 392 (28 January 2010) Possible 100,000+ cases (As of January 2010) Health Protection Agency (HPA) * Data from Health Protection Agency 2009 flu pandemicThe 2009 swine flu pandemic was a global outbreak of a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1, first identified in April 2009, termed Pandemic H1N1/09 virus by the World Health Organization (WHO)https://www.who.int/mediacentre/Pandemic_h1n1_presstranscript_2009_07_07.pdf Transcript of virtual press conference with Dr Keiji Fukuda, Assistant Director-General ad Interim for Health Security and Environment, World Health Organization 7 July 2009 World Health Organization 26 October 2009 12 December 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181212010520/https://www.who.int/mediacentre/Pandemic_h1n1_presstranscript_2009_07_07.pdf live and colloquially called swine flu. The outbreak was first observed in Mexico,Flu Outbreak Raises a Set of Questions McNeil Jr. Donald G. 26 April 2009 The New York Times 24 October 2009 https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/health/27questions.html 6 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181006153416/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/27/health/27questions.html live http://www.oie.int/eng/press/en_090427.htm A/H1N1 influenza like human illness in Mexico and the USA: OIE statement Maria Zampaglione World Organisation for Animal Health 29 April 2009 29 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090430105521/http://www.oie.int/eng/press/en_090427.htm 30 April 2009 dead and quickly spread globally. On 11 June 2009, the WHO declared the outbreak to be a pandemic.https://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_pandemic_phase6_20090611/en/index.html World now at the start of 2009 influenza pandemic Chan Dr. Margaret 11 June 2009 World Health Organization 25 October 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091022123810/http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_pandemic_phase6_20090611/en/index.html 22 October 2009 deadUK National Institute for Medical Research WHO World Influenza Centre: Emergence and spread of a new influenza A (H1N1) virus, 12 June 09 http://www.nimr.mrc.ac.uk/wic/ https://web.archive.org/web/20090926024816/http://www.nimr.mrc.ac.uk/wic/ 26 September 2009 dead 2 September 2009 The overwhelming majority of patients experienced mild symptoms, but some persons were in higher risk groups, such as those with asthma, diabetes,http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/healthconditions/diabetes/index.html Diabetes and the Flu U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 25 October 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091025113447/http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/healthconditions/diabetes/index.html 25 October 2009 livehttps://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/news/docs/flu.htm CDC's Diabetes Program – News & Information – H1N1 Flu 14 October 2009 Centres for Disease Control and Prevention 25 October 2009 Division of Diabetes Translation https://web.archive.org/web/20091023100843/http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/news/docs/flu.htm 23 October 2009 dead obesity, heart disease, who were pregnant or had a weakened immune system.Hartocollis Anemona https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/health/policy/28flu.html 'Underlying conditions' may add to flu worries The New York Times 27 May 2009 26 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20130425070939/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/health/policy/28flu.html 25 April 2013 live In the rare severe cases, around 3–5 days after symptoms manifest, the sufferer's condition declines quickly, often to the point of respiratory failure.https://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_clinical_features_20091016/en/index.html Clinical features of severe cases of pandemic influenza 16 October 2009 World Health Organization 25 October 2009 Geneva, Switzerland https://web.archive.org/web/20091025105555/http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/notes/h1n1_clinical_features_20091016/en/index.html 25 October 2009 dead The virus reached the United Kingdom in April 2009.http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article6211122.ece Swine flu by another name isn't so catchy The Sunday Times UK 4 May 2009 3 May 2009 Dominic Rushe Sadly I don't think this name change is going to stick. Flu epidemics used to get named after their country of origin. Mexico has so far been unbelievably lucky in its attempts to dodge this one. The Israelis tried to pass the name back last week – they don't like the swine appellation either. But they soon backed off after a furious Mexican response. Nobody worried about the effect on tourism or pig sales when the Spanish flu killed more than 50m people in 1918. https://web.archive.org/web/20090508084854/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article6211122.ece 8 May 2009 dead The first cases were confirmed on 27 April 2009 in passengers returning from Mexico. The first case of person to person transmission within the UK was announced on 1 May 2009.First case of onward human to human swine flu transmission in England confirmed HPA http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1241180239108?p=1231252394302 3 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090504060722/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1241180239108?p=1231252394302 4 May 2009 dead In the UK, 5- to 14-year-olds were the age group predominantly affected.http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1247125491112 Weekly pandemic flu update 9 July 2009 Health Protection Agency 16 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090713011921/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1247125491112 13 July 2009 dead Laboratory tests demonstrated that older people had some immunity. After a slow start, the virus spread rapidly in the UK in July 2009, with new cases peaking at 110,000 in the last week of that month, according to The Health Protection Agency's modelling estimate, but declining sharply in the first week of August 2009.Big drop in new swine flu cases BBC News BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8188027.stm 6 August 2009 6 August 2009 6 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230406043225/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8188027.stm live Cases fell progressively down to 3,000 in the first week of September 2009, then began to rise again. The decline in cases during the summer had been predicted, but a large surge was expected in the autumn to coincide with the normal flu season. Cases rose to 84,000 by the end of October, well below the summer's peak, and then declined during November. thumb|341px| UK 2009 Swine Flu cases per week. Health Protection Agency modelling2009 Press Releases 24 December 2009 Health Protection Agency 24 December 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/HPA/NewsCentre/NationalPressReleases/2009PressReleases/ https://web.archive.org/web/20091224065403/http://www.hpa.org.uk/HPA/NewsCentre/NationalPressReleases/2009PressReleases/ 24 December 2009 dead __TOC__ Outbreak timeline 2009UK swine flu outbreak, milestone 27 April First two UK H1N1 cases confirmed in Scotland after a flight from Mexico. 29 April Paignton Community and Sports College closes for about a week in first school closure. 1 May First two UK person to person transmissions confirmed.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8028974.stm UK | Second UK flu transfer case found BBC News 2 May 2009 1 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090503130708/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8028974.stm 3 May 2009 live 2 May Further schools are temporarily closed from this date.http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/scotland/article6207497.ece Scot is first UK human-to-human transmission victim of swine flu – Times Online The Times UK 4 May 2009 3 May 2009 Lorraine Davidson Sam Lister 6 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230406043208/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/ deadCoventry Evening Telegraph 4 May 2009 Schoolgirls among swine flu victims One of the cases announced today was a 14-year-old girl from Barnet, north London, who caught the virus from somebody who had travelled to Mexico. Her independent girls' school, South Hampstead High School, posted a letter to parents on its website saying the year nine student was "at home and well". Antivirals have been offered to her year group, special arrangements are being made for upcoming exams, and the school will be closed until at least Thursday.http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Swine-Flu-Fourth-UK-School-Forced-To-Close-After-Five-Pupils-Gets-Virus---Alleyns-School-Dulwich/Article/200905115274379 Fourth UK School Forced To Close After Five Pupils Gets Virus – Alleyn's School, Dulwich Sky News 4 May 2009 4 May 2009 Alleyn's will be shut for at least a week and all pupils and staff will be offered anti-viral treatment. Two other children, who also have the virus, are London-based siblings who are close contacts of a previously confirmed case, the HPA added. https://web.archive.org/web/20090507053911/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Swine-Flu-Fourth-UK-School-Forced-To-Close-After-Five-Pupils-Gets-Virus---Alleyns-School-Dulwich/Article/200905115274379 7 May 2009 livehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8032697.stm Nine more UK cases of swine flu BBC News 5 May 2009 5 May 2009 Five of those diagnosed with the H1N1 virus are year seven pupils at Alleyn's School in Dulwich, London, which has announced it will close. All 1,200 pupils plus staff are receiving Tamiflu antiviral drugs. On Monday night, it emerged another school, Dolphin School in Battersea, London, had also been closed as a precaution – the fifth in the UK. https://web.archive.org/web/20090505013015/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8032697.stm 5 May 2009 live 7 May HPA issues advice on exclusion from schools and workplaces. 8 May HPA issues "advice on actions to be taken in a school in the event of a probable or confirmed case of "swine flu" being identified in a school pupil", in which closure for 7 days is advised when appropriate. The virus from European samples isolated and its full genetic fingerprint determined by UK researchers, following similar work in the US on the virus in the American continent. 17 May One hundredth confirmed case.Update on confirmed swine flu cases 17 May 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1242549138755?p=1231252394302 https://web.archive.org/web/20091121012948/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1242549138755?p=1231252394302 21 November 2009 dead 22 May HPA staff no longer routinely meet flights from Mexico. Contact tracing of passengers deemed to be at risk of swine flu carried out on the basis of risk, as for other communicable diseases.Update on confirmed swine flu cases 22 May 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1242914489962 https://web.archive.org/web/20091112202937/http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1242914489962 12 November 2009 dead 26 May The largest single outbreak so far, with 50http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8068054.stm School outbreak raises flu total BBC News 27 May 2009 27 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090529053123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8068054.stm 29 May 2009 live confirmed cases identified at a Birmingham primary school (later increased to 74http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8074263.stm Further swine flu cases confirmed BBC News 29 May 2009 29 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090601163726/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8074263.stm 1 June 2009 live).13 JuneOver 1,000 cases of swine flu confirmed in the UK.14 JuneFirst death, of patient with underlying health problems, reported at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, Glasgow, Scotland.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8099832.stm First UK swine flu patient death BBC News 15 June 2009 25 June 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090627044921/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8099832.stm 27 June 2009 live26 JuneSecond death, of patient with underlying health problems, of a six-year-old girl at Birmingham Children's Hospital in the West Midlands region. Her death was reported on 29 June.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8124781.stm Girl, nine, dies from swine flu 29 June 2009 BBC News 29 June 2009 6 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230406043225/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_midlands/8124781.stm live30 June6,000 cases of swine flu confirmed in the UK.Update on swine flu cases 29 June 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1246260039528?p=1231252394302 https://web.archive.org/web/20091121013624/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1246260039528?p=1231252394302 21 November 2009 dead 2 JulyThe HPA announced that the containment approach to reduce spread was no longer appropriate given the clusters of cases around the UK, and would be replaced by a treatment phase in which everybody presenting symptoms would be treated if necessary without laboratory confirmation, but contacts would not be traced. Daily reports of confirmed cases are no longer being published.6 JulyThree deaths in the UK bringing the total to seven. The new victims include two 9-year-old girls. NHS stated all three had "serious underlying health problems". The victims are from South London and Dewsbury in West Yorkshire.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8137115.stm Three more swine flu victims die BBC 6 July 2009 6 July 2009 11 August 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220811222147/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8137115.stm live9 JulyThe government announced that there are now over 9,000 cases of Swine flu in the UK and 14 patients have died,http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8142833.stm UK swine flu death toll hits 14 BBC 9 July 2009 9 July 2009 6 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230406043248/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8142833.stm live 2 in Scotland, 5 in London, and the remainder elsewhere in England.http://www.london.nhs.uk/news-and-health-issues/press-releases/2009-press-releases/deaths-of-patients-with-swine-flu Deaths of patients with swine flu NHS 9 July 2009 9 July 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090714131955/http://www.london.nhs.uk/news-and-health-issues/press-releases/2009-press-releases/deaths-of-patients-with-swine-flu 14 July 2009 dead10 JulyA 15th person has died from swine flu in Essex. Unlike previous cases, they had no underlying health conditions.https://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-SwineFlu/idUSTRE5685ER20090710 UK records first H1N1 death in healthy patient Reuters 10 July 2009 2013-11-15 Tim Castle 22 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201122070340/https://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-SwineFlu/idUSTRE5685ER20090710 live 13 July2 more people die with swine flu in England.Girl's death takes flu toll to 16 13 July 2009 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8147759.stm 1 January 2010 5 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230405051417/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8147759.stm live One, a 6-year-old girl, who died of septacemia, and a middle-aged doctor. Initial reports that he died of Pulmonary Embolism were disproved on his final Post Mortem, which concluded that Swine Flu was a contributing factor in his death.Teenage girl with swine flu dies 21 July 2009 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8161680.stm 1 January 2010 16 March 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230316161047/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8161680.stm live 16 JulyIt emerges that 12 more people have died. The total now stands at 29. 85,000 people are estimated to be affected by swine flu as of 16 July, with 55,000 new infections in the preceding week according to HPA modelling.Whelan Brian http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/uk/pandemic%20threat%20worse%20than%20terror/3269392 Channel 4 News – Latest UK & World News | Videos | Special Reports – Channel 4 News Channel 4 2013-11-1523 JulyThe National Pandemic Flu Service goes live in England for the first time.Flu infects 100,000 in past week Triggle Nick 23 July 2009 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8163930.stm 1 January 2010 6 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230406043248/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8163930.stm live Shortly after it goes live, the Service gets over 2,000 hits per second. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can opt in for the service if the rate of infection increases.21 August The first swine flu related death in Wales has been confirmed after a 55-year-old woman died.http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/08/21/woman-55-confirmed-as-first-swine-flu-death-in-wales-91466-24499768/ Woman, 55, confirmed as first swine flu death in Wales Wales Online 21 August 2009 2013-11-15 31 August 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090831073045/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2009/08/21/woman-55-confirmed-as-first-swine-flu-death-in-wales-91466-24499768/ live 15 OctoberIts announced that there were 27,000 new swine flu cases in the past week, up from 18,000 the week before, and new cases were rising more slowly than expected, but the number requiring treatment in intensive care had increased from 47 out of 290 hospitalised last week to 74 out of 364 hospitalised this week. The number of deaths in the UK rose to 106.Swine flu vaccine programme begins as deaths pass 100 mark Jeremy Laurance 16 October 2009 The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/swine-flu-vaccine-programme-begins-as-deaths-pass-100-mark-1803636.html London 18 October 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091017081159/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/swine-flu-vaccine-programme-begins-as-deaths-pass-100-mark-1803636.html 17 October 2009 live21 OctoberSwine Flu Vaccine became available across the UK and mass immunisation programme gets under way.Swine flu: mass immunisation programme under way 21 October 2009 The Daily Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6393836/Swine-flu-mass-immunisation-programme-under-way.html https://web.archive.org/web/20091025064448/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6393836/Swine-flu-mass-immunisation-programme-under-way.html dead 25 October 2009 London 29 March 201022 October It's announced that Swine flu cases in the UK almost doubled from the previous week to 53,000. The number of patients needing hospital care has risen to 506 in England with 99 in critical care – the highest since the pandemic began. Deaths increased to 128. The total number of cases is now estimated to be 435,000.Swine flu doctors 'unnerved' by patients' decline Smith Rebecca 22 October 2009 The Daily Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6409329/Swine-flu-doctors-unnerved-by-patients-decline.html London 23 October 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091025051556/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6409329/Swine-flu-doctors-unnerved-by-patients-decline.html 25 October 2009 dead29 October Swine Flu cases rose by almost 50% to 78,000 new cases. Deaths increased to 137. Hospitalised patients increased to 751, of which 157 are in intensive care including nine people on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machines. It is now estimated that there have been 521,000 cases in England since the pandemic began. It is also reported that one in three deaths are not in the "priority vaccination group" as currently defined by the government.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6461871/Swine-flu-One-in-three-deaths-not-in-priority-vaccination-group.html London The Daily Telegraph Swine flu: One in three deaths 'not in priority vaccination group' Kate Devlin 29 October 2009 29 October 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091103075830/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6461871/Swine-flu-One-in-three-deaths-not-in-priority-vaccination-group.html 3 November 2009 dead5 November New Swine Flu cases increased to 84,000. Deaths increased to 154. 848 people are hospitalised, 172 of which are in intensive care. It is thought that the rise in new cases was smaller this week due to school children being on their "half term" holidays. Andrew Lansley, the Shadow Health Secretary, called on the Government to commit to vaccinating all schoolchildren in the country, as well as university students.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6509813/Swine-flu-schoolchildren-could-receive-vaccine.html London The Daily Telegraph Swine flu: schoolchildren 'could receive vaccine' Kate Devlin 5 November 2009 6 November 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091108173422/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6509813/Swine-flu-schoolchildren-could-receive-vaccine.html 8 November 2009 dead12 November The number of new swine flu cases in the past week fell by nearly a quarter to 64,000 in England. Deaths increased to 182 (124 deaths in England, 33 in Scotland, 11 in Northern Ireland and 14 in Wales).http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/141238/Healthy-children-to-receive-flu-jab Daily Express | UK News :: Under-fives will have swine flu jab Daily Express 19 November 2009 5 April 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120405162009/http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/141238/Healthy-children-to-receive-flu-jab live Hospitalised patients fell to 785, of whom 173 are in intensive care. The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, said that the drop in new cases could be due to school children's half term break, the impact of which could last two weeks and that next week's figures should give a clearer picture of how the virus is developing. Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said the latest figures again illustrated the importance of vaccinating children. "This is further evidence that we need to begin planning a school and college-based vaccination programme immediately."Swine flu cases drop in England 12 November 2009 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8357279.stm 1 January 2010 11 April 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170411132649/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8357279.stm live https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6555080/Swine-flu-drop-in-cases-raises-hopes-for-peak-in-second-wave.html London The Daily Telegraph Swine flu: drop in cases raises hopes for peak in second wave Kate Devlin 12 November 2009 13 November 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091115102542/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6555080/Swine-flu-drop-in-cases-raises-hopes-for-peak-in-second-wave.html 15 November 2009 dead19 November New Swine Flu cases decreased again from the previous week, down to 53,000 new cases in England in the last week. 783 patients were hospitalised. The number of deaths related to swine flu in the UK increased to 214Millions of healthy children to be given swine flu jab Smith Rebecca 19 November 2009 The Daily Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6607867/Millions-of-healthy-children-to-be-given-swine-flu-jab.html London 19 November 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091122171657/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6607867/Millions-of-healthy-children-to-be-given-swine-flu-jab.html 22 November 2009 dead (142 in England). The HPA estimates that there have now been a total of 715,000 cases of swine flu since the pandemic began.Weekly pandemic flu media update 19 November 2009 Health Protection Agency 19 November 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1258560526320?p=1231252394302 https://web.archive.org/web/20091121015303/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1258560526320?p=1231252394302 21 November 2009 dead http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/Swineflu/DH_108846 https://web.archive.org/web/20091119221449/http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/Swineflu/DH_108846 dead 19 November 2009 19 November 2009 – Weekly swine flu update : Department of Health – Public health Dh.gov.uk 19 November 2009 The government has announced that all children under the age of five are to get the swine flu vaccine. Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said there had been a rise in serious illnesses recently among young children that was "causing concern". "We consider them to be seriously at risk". Latest figures showed that 81% of under-5s hospitalised with swine flu had no underlying health issues. The Conservative Party says that all under-25s should get the vaccine next.Under-fives to get swine flu jab Triggle Nick 19 November 2009 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8368344.stm 1 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20091122115540/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8368344.stm 22 November 2009 live20 November The first officially confirmed cases of person-to-person transmission of a Tamiflu-resistant strain of swine flu in the world are reported to have happened between 5 patients at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.Walsh Fergus http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8370859.stm Tamiflu-resistant swine flu spreads 'between patients' BBC News 20 November 2009 27 November 2009 https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20091121051819/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8370859.stm 21 November 2009 live26 November The number of new swine flu cases continue to fall, with 46,000 new cases in the last week, 7,000 less than the week before. However Swine flu deaths in England in a single week reached their highest level with a record 21 deaths, bringing the total deaths to 245 in the UK (163 in England). There were 753 hospitalised patients, 154 of those being in intensive care. The Government estimates more than a million people have now been vaccinated, roughly a month after the vaccination program started (that figure excludes health care workers, who are also being offered the vaccine). That means only about 1 in 10 of the 11 million people in the "at risk" priority groups have so far been vaccinated. Professor David Salisbury, head of immunisation at the Department of Health was disappointed, saying "Clearly I would have liked a bigger number...I would like to see an acceleration now".Triggle Nick http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8381509.stm Doctors 'need to speed up swine flu vaccinations' BBC News 26 November 2009 27 November 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091129043914/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8381509.stm 29 November 2009 livehttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6663972/Swine-flu-deaths-in-England-reach-highest-level.html Swine flu deaths in England reach highest level The Daily Telegraph 25 April 2009 27 November 2009 London Richard Alleyne https://web.archive.org/web/20091128111412/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6663972/Swine-flu-deaths-in-England-reach-highest-level.html 28 November 2009 dead3 December New Swine Flu cases more than halved from the previous week, dropping to 22,000 new cases in England in the last week. Total deaths increased to 270 (178 deaths in England). There are 747 hospitalised patients – 161 of which are in critical care. A further 600,000 people were vaccinated in the last week, bringing total to 1.6 million people. In addition to that, 275,000 healthcare workers have been vaccinated out of nearly 2 million. Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson said it was still "too early" to know whether the downward trend in new cases would continue and that his biggest worry was the virus mutating or mixing with other viruses and creating a new, more dangerous virus. Prof David Salisbury, head of immunisation at the Department of Health, said the vaccines with adjuvants, substances which boost the immune system and allow less active ingredient to be used in each dose, offer good protection even if the virus does change; "One of the advantages with adjuvanted vaccines is their ability to protect against drifted (mutated) strains. It opens the door for a whole new strategy in dealing with flu." The GlaxoSmithKline vaccine, Pandemrix, which forms the bulk of the governments mass vaccination programme with 11.2 million doses delivered so far to health services, contains an adjuvant.http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1259152076662?p=1231252394302 Weekly pandemic flu media update HPA 4 December 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091203223838/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1259152076662?p=1231252394302 3 December 2009 dead http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8393651.stm New infections of swine flu 'on the way down' BBC News 4 December 2009 3 December 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091206195529/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8393651.stm 6 December 2009 livehttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6719861/Change-in-swine-flu-virus-is-my-biggest-fear-Liam-Donaldson.html Change in swine flu virus is my biggest fear: Liam Donaldson The Daily Telegraph 25 April 2009 4 December 2009 London Rebecca Smith https://web.archive.org/web/20091206031729/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6719861/Change-in-swine-flu-virus-is-my-biggest-fear-Liam-Donaldson.html 6 December 2009 deadhttp://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/Swineflu/DH_109578 3 December 2009 – Weekly swine flu update : Department of Health – Public health Dh.gov.uk 4 December 2009 5 December 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20091205130808/http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/Swineflu/DH_109578 live 10 December New Swine Flu cases halved from the previous week, to 11,000 new cases in England. Deaths increased to 283 (191 in England) and there were currently 636 hospitalised patients. The number of people vaccinated increased to 2.3 million. The estimated total number of cases is 795,000. The Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson revealed that the swine flu pandemic is "considerably less lethal" than feared. An analysis of deaths to 8 November showed that 26 people have died for every 100,000 cases in England, meaning a death rate of 0.026% in those infected with Swine Flu. The highest death rate was in those aged over 65, and lowest in those aged 5 to 14. The average age at death was 39. Of the patients who died, 67% were in the "high risk" vaccination priority group and were eligible to get vaccinated, 36% had either no or only mild pre-existing illnesses. Sir Liam again urged people to come forward for immunisation, commenting that a lower impact than previously feared "is not a justification for public health inaction. Our data supports the priority vaccination of high risk groups. Given that a substantial minority of deaths occur in previously healthy people, there is a case for extending the vaccination programme".Triggle Nick http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8406723.stm Swine flu less lethal than feared BBC News 10 December 2009 15 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20091216231059/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8406723.stm 16 December 2009 livehttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6780116/Swine-flu--considerably-less-lethal-than-feared.html Swine flu: "considerably less lethal" than feared The Daily Telegraph 10 December 2009 15 January 2010 London Kate Devlin https://web.archive.org/web/20091213175240/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6780116/Swine-flu--considerably-less-lethal-than-feared.html 13 December 2009 deadhttp://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/Swineflu/DH_109929 10 December 2009 – Weekly swine flu update : Department of Health – Public health Dh.gov.uk 10 December 2009 15 January 2010http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1259152211290?p=1231252394302 Weekly pandemic flu media update HPA 15 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100115023821/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1259152211290?p=1231252394302 15 January 2010 dead 17 December New Swine Flu cases again fell with 9000 people infected in last week. Total deaths in the UK increased to 299 (203 in England). The number of currently hospitalised patients fell to 523 patients of which more than 100 were in intensive care. 3 million people out of the 9 million in the 1st vaccination priority groups have now been vaccinated including 100,000 pregnant women. In addition to that, 343,000 front line health workers have also been vaccinated. It appears that the second wave of Swine Flu is coming to an end but experts warn cases could rise again in the future in a "third wave" of swine flu.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8418899.stm Fall in swine flu cases continues BBC News 17 December 2009 15 January 2010 6 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230406043303/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8418899.stm live https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6834606/Natural-swine-flu-defence-found.html Natural swine flu defence found The Daily Telegraph 18 December 2009 15 January 2010 London Rebecca Smith https://web.archive.org/web/20091221203035/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/6834606/Natural-swine-flu-defence-found.html 21 December 2009 deadhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ferguswalsh/2009/12/swine_flu_cases_continue_to_fall.html Fergus on Flu: Swine flu cases continue to fall BBC 17 December 2009 15 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100217213326/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ferguswalsh/2009/12/swine_flu_cases_continue_to_fall.html 17 February 2010 livehttp://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/Swineflu/DH_110348 17 December 2009 – Weekly swine flu update : Department of Health – Public health Dh.gov.uk 17 December 2009 15 January 2010http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1259152318661?p=1231252394302 Weekly pandemic flu media update HPA 15 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100113213238/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1259152318661?p=1231252394302 13 January 2010 dead 24 December New cases of Swine Flu fell by a third to 6,000 cases this week. The total death figures will be updated by the HPA on Thursday 7 January. The number of hospitalised patients declined to 454 currently in hospital (as of 8 am on 23 December).http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1259152420791?p=1231252394302 Weekly pandemic flu media update HPA 15 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100113214602/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1259152420791?p=1231252394302 13 January 2010 dead 31 December The HPA did not release estimate numbers this week, instead saying that flu activity is continuing to decrease across the UK but some caution must be exercised as this may be influenced by the holiday period. 496 patients were currently hospitalised in England as of 8 am on 30 December (an increase from last week). A more detailed update will be released next week.http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1259152450217?p=1231252394302 Weekly pandemic flu media update HPA 15 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100113215351/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1259152450217?p=1231252394302 13 January 2010 dead 8 January Swine Flu cases continued to decrease, down to less than 5,000 new cases in the preceding week. Total UK deaths increased to 360 (251 in England, 64 in Scotland, 28 in Wales and 17 in Northern Ireland). Hospitalised patients in England (as of 8 am on 6 January) numbered 393, of whom 103 were in critical care. Only 3.2 million people had been vaccinated (out of 9 million in the priority groups), including 113,000 pregnant women (out of roughly 600,000), 86,000 under-5s (out of more than 3 million) and an additional 373,000 front-line health workers (out of more than a million). The Head of Immunisation at the Department of Health, Professor David Salisbury urged all those in the at-risk priority groups to get immunised, especially children under five and those with underlying health conditions, because while cases were currently down, it was not clear what would happen with swine flu over the year ahead.http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1262704890514?p=1259152466069 Weekly pandemic flu media update HPA 15 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100113214353/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1262704890514?p=1259152466069 13 January 2010 dead Emma Wilkinson http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8448080.stm Talks to offload swine flu vaccine under way BBC News 8 January 2010 15 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20170416200652/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8448080.stm 16 April 2017 livehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ferguswalsh/ Fergus on Flu BBC 15 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100110192304/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ferguswalsh/ 10 January 2010 live Reported cases Until 2 July 2009 the HPA published daily reports of laboratory-confirmed cases with breakdown by region, by age, and by source of infection (travel, community, etc.). From that date routine laboratory testing of all suspected cases and reporting of figures was discontinued. 2009 7 8 figures shown in this article are laboratory confirmed cases reported on 2 July.August 2022 Deaths are often reported as occurring "after contracting the swine flu virus" without flu being necessarily the cause of death of people with underlying health problems.August 2022 Researchers at Imperial College London said in July 2009 that the best estimate was that about 0.5% of those who get swine flu bad enough to seek medical help die from it, a figure very similar to the estimate for seasonal influenza.What are the chances of dying from swine flu? 17 July 2009 24 September 2009 Walsh Fergus BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ferguswalsh/2009/07/what_are_the_chances_of_dying_from_swine_flu.html 18 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090918041201/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ferguswalsh/2009/07/what_are_the_chances_of_dying_from_swine_flu.html live The World Health Organization (WHO) said the pandemic was over in August 2010.Cleveland Clinic August 5, 2022 Swine Flu (H1N1) https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23928-swine-flu-h1n1 December 21, 2023 21 December 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231221070830/https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23928-swine-flu-h1n1 live As of 2023, it is seen as "circulating in humans seasonally,"Gregory Andrew November 27, 2023 UK detects its first human case of swine flu strain The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/27/uk-detects-first-human-case-swine-flu-strain-h1n2 posing the same risk of other seasonal flu viruses. Cases by regionFigures for laboratory confirmed cases in England and Scotland are as of 2 July 2009, after which routine testing was discontinued. Deaths are of people with swine flu, not necessarily caused by swine flu. Region Cases Laboratory confirmed† ConfirmedDeaths Totals28,456http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1262704894811 HPA Weekly National Influenza Report HPA 8 January 2010 18 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100113230850/http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1262704894811 13 January 2010 dead392England19,995 279http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1263812698865 HPA Weekly National Influenza Report; Summary of UK surveillance of influenza and other seasonal respiratory illnesses HPA 21 January 2010 21 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100128021415/http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1263812698865 28 January 2010 deadNorthern Ireland1,35518Woman with swine flu dies in NI 28 January 2010 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8485353.stm 28 January 2010 5 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230405051419/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8485353.stm live Scotland6,45067http://news.stv.tv/scotland/east-central/153299-lothian-swine-flu-patient-dies/ Lothian swine flu patient dies STV News 27 January 2010 28 January 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100129081439/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/east-central/153299-lothian-swine-flu-patient-dies/ 29 January 2010 dead Wales65628Madeleine Brindley http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2009/12/30/wales-unlikely-to-suffer-more-swine-flu-this-winter-but-it-may-be-back-by-autumn-91466-25492080/ News – Health News – Wales unlikely to suffer more swine flu this winter – but it may be back by autumn WalesOnline 15 January 2010 30 December 2009 9 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121009102644/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health-news/2009/12/30/wales-unlikely-to-suffer-more-swine-flu-this-winter-but-it-may-be-back-by-autumn-91466-25492080/ live † The cumulative total number of cases, including patients who have recovered. thumb|301px| UK weekly GP consultations for influenza-like illness. QResearch data from Health Protection Agency Weekly epidemiological updates archive 24 December 2009 Health Protection Agency 24 December 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1244442494458 https://web.archive.org/web/20090726081305/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1244442494458 26 July 2009 dead Detailed reports On 25 April 2009, a member of British Airways cabin crew was taken to Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow and quarantined after falling ill with flu-like symptoms on a flight from Mexico City though he was later found not to have swine flu.Agencies Staff and 25 April 2009 Cabin crew member in hospital after flight from swine flu-struck Mexico The Guardian UK https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/apr/25/swine-flu-pandemic-mexico-flight live 27 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090429082904/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/apr/25/swine-flu-pandemic-mexico-flight 29 April 2009 On 26 April, two people were admitted to Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, with mild flu-like symptoms after returning from Mexico.26 April 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8019544.stm Scots tourists in swine flu alert BBC News 26 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090427013219/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8019544.stm 27 April 2009 live26 April 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/northamptonshire/8019536.stm Family alert to swine flu illness BBC News 27 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090427013155/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/northamptonshire/8019536.stm 27 April 2009 live The next day, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon, confirmed that these were cases of the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus.Scots swine flu cases confirmed 27 April 2009 BBC News 27 April 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8020208.stm https://web.archive.org/web/20090430133018/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8020208.stm 30 April 2009 live Authorities in both Scotland and England stated that there were no plans to trace the fellow airline passengers who may have travelled alongside the couple, since the authorities do not classify them as "close contacts".28 April 2009 http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2504776.0.passengers_wont_be_traced.php Passengers 'won't be traced' Glasgow Evening Times 28 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090430065159/http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.2504776.0.passengers_wont_be_traced.php 30 April 2009 live These cases along with one in Spain are the first confirmed cases in Europe.Swine influenza – Health Protection Agency update 27 April 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1240812258582?p=1231252394302 https://web.archive.org/web/20091121014633/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1240812258582?p=1231252394302 21 November 2009 dead At noon on 29 April the government reported three more confirmed cases in the UK, including the first cases in England. All three had recently returned from Mexico.http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Swine-Flu-Health-Chiefs-Urgently-Try-To-Increase-Stockpile-Of-Surgical-Masks-And-Sends-Out-Leaflet/Article/200904415271452?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15271452_Swine_Flu%3A_Health_Chiefs_Urgently_Try_To_Increase_Stockpile_Of_Surgical_Masks_And_Sends_Out_Leaflet_ Swine Flu: Girl Among Three New Cases in UK 29 April 2009 Sky News 29 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090501160331/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Swine-Flu-Health-Chiefs-Urgently-Try-To-Increase-Stockpile-Of-Surgical-Masks-And-Sends-Out-Leaflet/Article/200904415271452?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15271452_Swine_Flu%3A_Health_Chiefs_Urgently_Try_To_Increase_Stockpile_Of_Surgical_Masks_And_Sends_Out_Leaflet_ 1 May 2009 live The secondary school, Paignton Community and Sports College, closed for seven days.The Guardian UK 30 April 2009 Emergency order: UK buys 60m masks as new cases emerge: Millions more doses of antiviral drugs requested and mass leafleting strategy unveiled in 'pandemic preparedness' plan Owen Bowcott Severin Carrell David Teather 4 The decision to close the school in Devon until next Tuesday is in line with Health Protection Agency and WHO guidelines: seven days is the incubation period for the flu. By 26 May the number of people who had contracted the disease in-country increased to 125, the highest in Europe and triple the second highest, Spain.Influenza A(H1N1) infection – Main developments in past 24 hours http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/files/pdf/Health_topics/Situation_Report_090526_1700hrs.pdf 26 May 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090527225916/http://ecdc.europa.eu/en/files/pdf/Health_topics/Situation_Report_090526_1700hrs.pdf 27 May 2009 On 28 May, sixty four people connected with a primary school in Birmingham were diagnosed with swine flu .http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8072374.stm School swine flu cases rise to 64 BBC News 28 May 2009 25 June 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090601153355/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8072374.stm 1 June 2009 live On 8 June the HPA issued a report stating that the majority of cases are in school age children and young adults,Swine-lineage Influenza A H1N1 UK update 8 June 09 https://web.archive.org/web/20090622132714/http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1244442493055 22 June 2009 which has not been the case in most pandemics with the notable exception of the 1918 flu pandemic.Simonsen L Clarke M Schonberger L Arden N Cox N Fukuda K Pandemic versus epidemic influenza mortality: a pattern of changing age distribution J Infect Dis 178 1 53–60 July 1998 9652423 10.1086/515616 free On 25 June the chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said certain areas were seeing rapid community spread which meant that it was no longer practical to attempt in those areas (initially parts of London, the west Midlands and east BerkshireRadical shift in antiviral use considered Walsh Fergus 27 June 2009 24 September 2009 BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ferguswalsh/2009/06/radical_shift_in_antiviral_use_considered.shtml 6 August 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090806173015/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/ferguswalsh/2009/06/radical_shift_in_antiviral_use_considered.shtml live ) to put a ring around the outbreaks by tracing the people with whom confirmed cases have come into contact and giving them drugs to try to prevent flu developing. In these areas, anti-viral drugs may in the future only be given to people showing symptoms, and tracing of contacts will stop. The contingency plans always envisaged the containment phase would not last indefinitely.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8118755.stm Statement by Chief Medical Officer 25 June 2009 25 June 2009 25 June 2009 9 April 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120409172623/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8118755.stm live The start of the treatment (as against containment) approach was announced on 2 July 2009.Treatment approach announced for pandemic flu 2 July 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?c=HPAweb_C&cid=1246519368102&pagename=HPAweb%252FHPAwebStandard 9 July 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090709102858/http://www.hpa.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?c=HPAweb_C&cid=1246519368102&pagename=HPAweb%2FHPAwebStandard live Every year in late June and early July the Wimbledon tennis championships are held in London, attracting worldwide interest and with many hours of UK television coverage every day. On 1 July 2009 it was reported that 28 Wimbledon staff had been asked to stay at home with flu-like symptoms. Two named players are reported to have caught the virus. A study published in the August 2009 issue of The Lancet (available on 20 July) suggests that prolonging the school holidays could reduce the spread of the virus by up to 17%. This would be disruptive, and would not reduce the overall number of infections, but could delay the spread and buy time for preparation of a vaccine. The government's advice is that schools should not be closed, but that the evidence will be reviewed in August as school summer holidays end.Swine flu: schools should close to halt spread of virus ministers told Wardrop Murray 21 July 2009 The Daily Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/5874683/Swine-flu-schools-should-close-to-halt-spread-of-virus-ministers-told.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090724150820/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/5874683/Swine-flu-schools-should-close-to-halt-spread-of-virus-ministers-told.html dead 24 July 2009 London 16 September 2009 Call to close schools to curb flu 21 July 2009 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8160314.stm 1 January 2010 Public information The Department of Health announced on 29 April 2009 that they intended to send an information leaflet on swine flu to every household in the UK. The information leaflets were distributed at the beginning of May.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8023977.stm UK homes to get swine flu advice BBC News 29 April 2009 29 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090430193704/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8023977.stm 30 April 2009 livehttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8033048.stm Swine flu leaflet delivery begins BBC News 5 May 2009 5 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090508104300/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8033048.stm 8 May 2009 live On 29 April, Alan Johnson announced that television and radio advice would also be broadcast starting on 30 April.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8024690.stm WHO raises pandemic alert level 29 April 2009 BBC News 29 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090430163952/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8024690.stm 30 April 2009 live The slogan "Catch it, Bin it, Kill it" was used to encourage good hand and respiratory hygiene.https://www.immunology.org/catch-it-bin-it-kill-it-poster-2009 Catch it, bin it, kill it poster (2009) British Society for Immunology www.immunology.org 8 March 2020 18 April 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200418053937/https://www.immunology.org/catch-it-bin-it-kill-it-poster-2009 dead On 30 April 2009, a swine flu information line was launched with advice on setting up "flu friends" (this is not the National Flu Line service mentioned below). The Department of Health Pandemic Plan (revised November 2007) states "UK health departments (directorate in Scotland) will run a national door drop and advertising campaign in Phase 5, alerting the public to the heightened risk, emphasising the need for personal preparation and socially responsible behaviour. A public information film will demonstrate how to slow the spread of the virus, and the National Flu Line service will be available. Information materials will also be available through primary care, pharmacies and on the Department of Health website." After criticism of the lateness of its launch, it was announced in late July that the National Flu Line service was to be launched on 24 July 2009. http://www.e-health-insider.com/news/4798/no_national_flu_line_until_autumn https://web.archive.org/web/20110728130404/http://www.e-health-insider.com/news/4798/no_national_flu_line_until_autumn dead 28 July 2011 No National Flu Line until autumn E-Health Insider 30 April 2009 29 April 2009Burnham under fire on flu advice 20 July 2009 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8158468.stm Health Secretary Andy Burnham is to outline plans for a swine flu advice service amid criticism over its delayed launch. 1 January 2010 6 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230406043227/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8158468.stm live There are government websites with general information and the latest updates on human swine flu in England, Northern Ireland,Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety news releases, including day-by-day updates on confirmed swine flu cases (this link is unlikely to change) https://web.archive.org/web/20100827085721/http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/ 27 August 2010 The daily updates give the current number of cases confirmed and under investigation, with additional details, and are linked from this page.Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety update on confirmed swine flu cases: 29 June 2009 (this link will be updated to reference the latest update) https://web.archive.org/web/20111002085825/http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news/news-dhssps/news-dhssps-29062009-swine-flu-update.htm 2 October 2011 Scotland,Latest Scottish Government swine flu news releasehttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/By-Topic/Q/Topic/20 Government news online Scotland.gov.uk 2 November 2012 2013-11-15 29 August 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080829170640/http://www.scotland.gov.uk./News/Releases/By-Topic/Q/Topic/20 live and Wales.http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=457&pid=38185 Public Health Wales Health Protection Division Wales.nhs.uk 22 November 2010 2013-11-15 6 July 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090706045534/http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=457&pid=38185 live The HPA website includes frequently updated advice for the public,Swine flu: advice for the public 28 September 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1240812233855?p=1240812233855 https://web.archive.org/web/20090825164019/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26Page%26HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1240812233855?p=1240812233855 25 August 2009 dead advice on exclusion from schools and workplacesHPA: Advice on Exclusion from Schools and Workplaces. Last revision 7 May 09 https://web.archive.org/web/20090621180827/http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1241418706890 21 June 2009 (and a document specifically for schools),http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpr/archives/2009/news1809.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20090628010101/http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpr/archives/2009/news1809.htm HPA advice on actions to be taken in a school. 8 May 09 dead 28 June 2009 and information for health professionals.Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza: information for health professionals 30 September 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1240812234677?p=1240812234677 https://web.archive.org/web/20091113005623/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26Page%26HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1240812234677?p=1240812234677 13 November 2009 dead During the initial containment phase of the swine flu outbreak the HPA published detailed information in daily and weekly reports linked from its Epidemiological data page on its website. On 2 July, when the policy of containment was dropped in favour of treatment of presumed cases, the daily updates of laboratory confirmed cases were stopped.Update on swine flu cases 2 July 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1246519358678?p=1231252394302 https://web.archive.org/web/20091121013200/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1246519358678?p=1231252394302 21 November 2009 dead A weekly epidemiological update and pandemic flu update are published each Tuesday, with much detailed information including regional information and breakdown by age.August 2022 Control measures 2009 swine flu pandemic#Prevention and treatment Prevention and treatment for the 2009 swine flu pandemic On 11 May 2009 UK epidemiologists at Imperial College London considered that H1N1 swine flu was spreading fast enough to justify the preparations for a pandemic. It was showing "sustained human-to-human transmission", thereby justifying the WHO's pandemic phase 5 rating. It is estimated that on average each person who contracts flu passes it on to between 1.4 and 1.6 other people, no worse than the three influenza pandemics of the twentieth century. Early analysis suggested that the spread was likely to be similar to the earlier pandemics. Up to the date of the study, clinical severity was similar to 1957 and less than 1918 flu pandemic. However, the clinical severity of the outbreak and how the virus will evolve was yet to be predicted.https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17109-first-analysis-of-swine-flu-spread-supports-pandemic-plan.html First analysis of swine flu spread supports pandemic plan – health – 11 May 2009 New Scientist 11 May 2009 2013-11-15 15 August 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140815092644/http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17109-first-analysis-of-swine-flu-spread-supports-pandemic-plan.html live Travel to and from affected areas February 2010 On 27 April, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office advised against all but essential travel to MexicoMexico Travel Advice https://web.archive.org/web/20090427183651/http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/north-central-america/mexico/ 27 April 2009 , Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 27 April 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2009. and stated that British citizens in Mexico... "may wish to consider whether they should remain in Mexico at this time". On 28 April the Mexican Tourist Board estimated that there were "a few thousand" British tourists in Mexico.http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/28/30841/swine-flu-forces-mexico-tourism-board-to-rethink-uk.html Swine Flu forces Mexico Tourism Board to rethink UK campaign Travel Weekly 28 April 2009 28 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090503125251/http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2009/04/28/30841/swine-flu-forces-mexico-tourism-board-to-rethink-uk.html 3 May 2009 dead Holiday companies Thomas Cook and Airtours said that between them they had about "3,000 holidaymakers in Mexico" as of 28 April 2009.http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2009/04/28/swine-flu-cannot-be-contained-100252-23490407/ Swine flu halts flights to Mexico Liverpool Echo 28 April 2009 28 April 2009 5 March 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120305201728/http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2009/04/28/swine-flu-cannot-be-contained-100252-23490407/ live The first British tourists being brought back early from Mexico on 28 April 2009 told reporters that they had received little or no information about health precautions, either from the Mexican authorities, hotels, or from local tour guides.http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2009/04/28/passengers-arriving-in-birmingham-from-mexico-today-claimed-they-had-been-kept-in-the-dark-over-the-swine-flu-crisis-97319-23490833/ Passengers arriving in Birmingham from Mexico today claimed they had been kept in the dark over the swine flu crisis Birmingham Evening Mail 28 April 2009 28 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090503072618/http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2009/04/28/passengers-arriving-in-birmingham-from-mexico-today-claimed-they-had-been-kept-in-the-dark-over-the-swine-flu-crisis-97319-23490833/ 3 May 2009 live A leaflet was being distributed at all ports of entry into the UK providing passengers arriving in the UK with information on swine flu.http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1240986139568 Advice For People Entering The UK With Influenza Type Symptoms 11 May 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090509082321/http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1240986139568 9 May 2009 Until 21 May HPA staff met travellers arriving from Mexico. This was discontinued on 22 May, but advice remained that travellers from affected areas who become unwell within seven days of arrival, and contacts with symptoms of a confirmed or probable case, should stay at home and contact their GP or NHS Direct. Contact tracing of passengers deemed to be at risk of swine flu will be carried out on the basis of risk, as for other communicable diseases. Preparations thumb|Tamiflu, influenza anti-viral drug Information, advice, and guidance both general and for specific cases (schools, workplaces) is being made available and updated by the HPA (see Public information campaign section above). As of 13 June 2009 the government estimated that the UK has enough anti-viral drugs for 50% of the population but has plans to raise that figure to 80%.'Unpredictable' swine flu spreads 13 June 2009 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8098895.stm A further 117 patients in England and 55 in Scotland have been confirmed with swine flu, pushing the UK total to 1,164. 1 January 2010 6 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230406043231/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8098895.stm live There is a pandemic plan covering topics from distributing the drugs and setting up helplines to closing schools and banning public events which was tested in a large exercise in 2007.http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_080734 Pandemic flu: A national framework for responding to an influenza pandemic UK Department of Health 30 April 2009 November 2007 7 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180407184634/http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130105013553/http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_080734 live There is also a specific response plan for London.http://www.londonprepared.gov.uk/downloads/londonsplans/london-flu-planV4.pdf London Resilience | Greater London Authority Londonprepared.gov.uk 1 November 2013 2013-11-15 5 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090505160336/http://www.londonprepared.gov.uk/downloads/londonsplans/london-flu-planV4.pdf dead Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza), the two anti-virals known to be effective, must be taken within 48 hours of onset of symptoms or earlier to be effective;http://www.druglib.com/druginfo/tamiflu/indications_dosage/ Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) – Indications and Dosage Druglib.com 4 February 2008 29 April 2009 2 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090502014012/http://www.druglib.com/druginfo/tamiflu/indications_dosage live the positive effects are greatest if treatment is started within six hours.http://www.sosindonesia.com/library/Important%20Tips%20for%20Fighting%20The%20Avian%20Influenza.pdf Important Tips for Fighting The Avian Influenza SOS Indonesia 2009 14 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20120303180531/http://www.sosindonesia.com/library/Important%20Tips%20for%20Fighting%20The%20Avian%20Influenza.pdf 3 March 2012 dead The HPA reported in its 24 June 2009 weekly epidemiological report that all 17 samples of the virus laboratory tested for resistance that week were found to be sensitive to oseltamivir and zanamivir, but resistant to amantadine.Weekly epidemiological update 22 October 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1243928258560 https://web.archive.org/web/20091120041738/http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb%26Page%26HPAwebAutoListName/Page/1243928258560 20 November 2009 dead The first case of resistance of the virus to oseltamivir, in Denmark, was reported on 29 June 2009.Swine Flu Sample Resistant to Antiviral Oseltamivir 30 June 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?c=HPAweb_C&cid=1246345135429&pagename=HPAweb%252FHPAwebStandard 9 July 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090709102833/http://www.hpa.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?c=HPAweb_C&cid=1246345135429&pagename=HPAweb%2FHPAwebStandard live On 5 May 2009 plans were announced for pupils unable to sit examinations at schools affected by flu to be assessed in other ways to ensure that children are not disadvantaged.Exam plans if swine flu spreads 5 May 2009 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8033668.stm Secondary pupils taking exams this summer whose schools are disrupted by swine flu will be able to get 'special consideration'. 1 January 2010 9 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090509200619/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8033668.stm live The Department of Health has listed all the pandemic flu guidance that it had published as of 8 June 2008.List of Department of Health flu guidance publications as of 8 June 2009 http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/PandemicFlu/DH_093202 https://web.archive.org/web/20091105143447/http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Flu/PandemicFlu/DH_093202 5 November 2009 2 September 2009 live Testing suspected cases Genetic analysis Samples from suspected cases have been analysed by the National Institute for Medical Research in London, which is also examining samples of the U.S. strain of the disease.http://www.nimr.mrc.ac.uk/news/2009/h1n1_02may09/ NIMR scientists discuss swine-like human influenza A H1N1 National Institute for Medical Research 1 May 2009 5 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090617021308/http://www.nimr.mrc.ac.uk/news/2009/h1n1_02may09/ 17 June 2009 dead By 8 May 2009 the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had made genetic information on the swine flu virus available, and the virus from European samples had been isolated and its full genetic fingerprint determined by UK researchers.http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8040000.stm BBC: UK swine flu genetics unravelled. 8 May 09 8 May 2009 8 May 2009 11 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090511012826/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8040000.stm live The genetics and effects of the virus in general are discussed in the article on the 2009 swine flu pandemic.August 2022 Diagnosis The fastest way for laboratory confirmation of swine flu is by the PCR method, described as a real-time method. According to the World Health Organization there are four laboratories in the UK able to perform PCR to diagnose influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in humans: Regional Virus Laboratory, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, NI; Regional Virus Laboratory, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland; Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections, Enteric, Respiratory, & Neurological Virus Laboratory, London; WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, National Institute for Medical Research, London.https://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/swineflu/InfluenzaLabsWithPCRcapacityToDetectInfluenzaA_20090508a.pdf Countries able to perform PCR to diagnose influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in humans World Health Organization 2 May 2009 14 June 2014 18 October 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121018225743/http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/swineflu/InfluenzaLabsWithPCRcapacityToDetectInfluenzaA_20090508a.pdf live Another laboratory confirmation is a fourfold increase in virus-specific antibodies 10 to 14 days later.http://www.selectscience.net/product-news/sterilin-limited/sterilin-backs-hpa-guidelines-for-swine-flu-detection/?artID=18071 Sterilin Backs HPA Guidelines For Swine Flu DetectionSterilin Limited, now part of Thermo Fisher Scientific Selectscience.net 18 May 2009 2013-11-15 21 June 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090621100522/http://www.selectscience.net/product-news/sterilin-limited/sterilin-backs-hpa-guidelines-for-swine-flu-detection/?artID=18071 live From 2 July 2009 when a treatment, rather than containment, approach was adopted, the official clinical diagnostic criteria became: "fever (pyrexia ≥38 °C) or a history of fever, and also influenza-like illness (two or more of the following symptoms: cough; sore throat; rhinorrhoea; limb or joint pain; headache; vomiting or diarrhoea) or severe and/or life-threatening illness suggestive of an infectious process".Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza: information for health professionals 30 September 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=HPAweb%252FPage%252FHPAwebAutoListName&cid=1240812234677&p=1240812234677&pagename=HPAwebWrapper 6 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230406043232/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england live "Laboratory confirmed" cases In the USA mathematical modelling based on surveys estimated that there were about 1 million cases of H1N1 flu on 25 June 2009, compared to 28,000 reported officially.1 Million Americans Likely Stricken by Swine Flu: CDC Forbes 25 June 2009 https://www.forbes.com/feeds/hscout/2009/06/25/hscout628467.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090627123015/http://www.forbes.com/feeds/hscout/2009/06/25/hscout628467.html 27 June 2009Areas Hit Hard by Flu in Spring See Little Now Anemona Hartocollis Donald G. McNeil Jr. 8 October 2009 The New York Times 24 October 2009 https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/health/08flu.html https://web.archive.org/web/20130521122203/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/health/08flu.html 21 May 2013 live Such a study has not been carried out in the UK.August 2022 As of 2 July 2009 GPs will diagnose based on clinical observation and routine swabbing will stop,Treatment approach announced for pandemic flu 2 July 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1246519368102 https://web.archive.org/web/20091112202825/http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1246519368102 12 November 2009 dead and the HPA will "no longer be providing a daily update of the numbers of cases confirmed through laboratory tests"Changes to HPA pandemic flu media updates 3 July 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1246607819501?p=1231252394302 https://web.archive.org/web/20091121013018/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1246607819501?p=1231252394302 21 November 2009 dead Hygiene recommendations According to the Health Protection Agency's "Swine flu: frequently asked questions" web page,Swine flu: frequently asked questions 10 December 2009 Health Protection Agency 15 December 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1240812255916?p=1244763941666 https://web.archive.org/web/20091214075812/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26HPAwebStandard/HPAweb_C/1240812255916?p=1244763941666 14 December 2009 dead transmission of this new virus is thought to occur in the same way as seasonal flu: large droplets from coughing and/or sneezing by an infected person within a short distance (usually 1 metre or less) of someone; touching or shaking the hand of an infected person, and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth without first washing your hands; touching surfaces or objects (e.g. door handles) that have become contaminated with the flu virus, and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth without first washing your hands. When the issue of touching your eyes, nose or mouth is combined with other infection control practices and good hygiene measures as recommended by the Health Protection Agency's website, the following recommendations emerge as important ways to help reduce the spread of swine flu and other viruses:August 2022 Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth without first washing your hands. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and use a tissue when possible. Dispose of dirty tissues promptly and carefully. Maintain good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to your face, or to other people. Clean hard surfaces, such as door handles, frequently using a normal cleaning product. Make sure children follow this advice. Anyone with swine flu or being investigated as a possible case will be given anti-virals and asked to stay at home and limit their contact with other people. Where anti-virals are prescribed the course of treatment must be followed and completed, although it may sometimes cause nausea. For people belonging to a high-risk group it is particularly important that they start taking anti-virals as soon as possible after infection. High-risk groups include people with long-term conditions, those over 65, children under five and pregnant women. Immunity A study at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published in May 2009 found that children had no pre-existing immunity to the new strain but that adults, particularly those over 60, had some degree of immunity. Children showed no cross-reactive antibody reaction to the new strain, adults aged 18 to 64 had 6–9%, and older adults 33%.http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/swineflu/news/may2109serum-jw.html CIDRAP news: Some immunity to novel H1N1 flu found in seniors, 21 May 2009 25 June 2009 23 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090923225423/http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/swineflu/news/may2109serum-jw.html dead The large proportion of cases in the UK affecting children and young adults is consistent with this pattern of resistance.HPA Update 26 May 09 https://web.archive.org/web/20090602222232/http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1243322117077 2 June 2009 HPA epidemiological update for 24 June 09 https://web.archive.org/web/20091130045255/http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1245581553306 30 November 2009 Vaccine 2009 flu pandemic vaccine The usual seasonal flu vaccines gave little or no immunity against the new strain of flu. There was an international program to produce a vaccine which would be effective against the new H1N1 strain. The chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said on 25 June that it seemed likely that the UK would receive the first batches of vaccines slightly earlier than expected, possibly from August rather than the autumn as first expected, although some industry sources do not expect supplies to be available so soon. The government had contracts for 132 million doses. There were risks involved in shifting resources to the new vaccine: it would not be possible to produce the seasonal flu vaccine, and it was possible that the virus will mutate to make a vaccine developed before the mutation ineffective.August 2022 Possible use of face-masks thumb|Alan Johnson, Health Secretary at the time of the outbreak The then Health Secretary Alan Johnson told MPs on 27 April that "Although we are aware that face-masks are being given out to the public in Mexico, the available scientific evidence does not support the general wearing of face-masks by those who are not ill, whilst going about their normal activities."http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8021813.stm UK | Swine flu cases confirmed in UK BBC News 27 April 2009 2013-11-15 30 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090430070656/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8021813.stm live Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said people in the UK were "perfectly safe at the moment", and did not need to start wearing face-masks or stop eating pork.UK prepared for swine flu – Brown 28 April 2009 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8021916.stm 1 January 2010 4 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090504174839/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8021916.stm live The Head of Pandemic Planning at the Royal College of General Practitioners, Dr Maureen Baker, stated on 27 April that "Masks become ineffective when they become damp or after a few hours. There has been a lot of debate on the use of face-masks and some authorities say that, in the community, the most effective use is to give to patients who may have symptoms when they present in the surgery – that should help reduce the infectivity of that patient to surgery staff and other patients. I expect the Department of Health will issue guidance on use of face-masks if we move into a pandemic phase."Swine flu: Your questions 1 May 2009 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8020596.stm BBC News online put a number of your questions to the experts. 1 January 2010 30 April 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090430123717/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8020596.stm live Masks may not protect the wearer from inhalation of the virus, but might protect other people from picking up the virus from the wearer.Will a face mask help to protect me? Are there enough anti-viral drugs? https://web.archive.org/web/20090501234009/http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-wellbeing/health-news/will-a-face-mask-help-protect-me-are-there-enough-antiviral-drugs-1675173.html 1 May 2009 , The Independent, 28 April 2009 Professor John Oxford, a virologist at leading London hospital, The Barts and the London, said: "Really, there is very little evidence that masks actually offer much protection against flu."Can masks help stop flu spread? Triggle Nick 29 April 2009 BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8024605.stm 1 January 2010 7 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090507175539/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8024605.stm live It was reported that the UK government was urgently seeking to acquire more face-masks.http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/97522/Swine-flu-Why-face-masks-could-be-useless Daily Express | UK News :: Swine flu: Why face masks could be useless Daily Express 29 April 2009 27 April 2009 1 May 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090501055556/http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/97522/Swine-flu-Why-face-masks-could-be-useless live Smith Rebecca https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/5238448/Swine-flu-NHS-orders-30-million-extra-face-masks.html Swine flu: NHS orders 30 million extra face masks The Daily Telegraph 25 April 2009 29 April 2009 London https://web.archive.org/web/20090501230513/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/swine-flu/5238448/Swine-flu-NHS-orders-30-million-extra-face-masks.html 1 May 2009 dead The advice given by authorities in several countries on the use of face masks has been summarised in an article, with many references, published on 4 June 2009.http://elements.healthspace.com/?p=950 Elements: Environmental Health Intelligence – Face Masks and Environmental control: are they really effective for H1N1? Elements.healthspace.com 2013-11-15 24 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120224175934/http://elements.healthspace.com/?p=950 live Aside from their obligations under health and safety legislation, employers can help to minimise the spread of the virus and support good infection control practice by positively encouraging any employee who reports feeling unwell with influenza-like symptoms to stay at home until their symptoms resolve, by sending people home who develop influenza-like illness at work (avoiding public transport and wearing a face mask if possible) and by ensuring that stocks of surgical face-masks are available in the workplace for symptomatic staff to wear until they get home. DoH Pandemic Flu Plan November 2007 See also GISAID the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (also covers novel A/H1N1 swine flu) References 30em External links H1N1 outbreak status report, at the European CDC Swine influenza updates, at the World Health Organization 2009 Press Releases 6 January 2009 Health Protection Agency 25 October 2009 http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Page&HPAwebAutoListDate/Page/1231252394302?p=1231252394302 https://web.archive.org/web/20090825155952/http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb%26Page%26HPAwebAutoListDate/Page/1231252394302?p=1231252394302 25 August 2009 dead WHO's Pandemic Influenza Phases Influenza Research Database – Database of influenza genomic sequences and related information. Medical Encyclopedia Medline Plus: Swine Flu Medical Encyclopedia WebMD: Swine Flu Centre Swine flu pandemic United Kingdom Category:Disease outbreaks in the United Kingdom Category:Premiership of Gordon Brown Category:Andy Burnham