Plea for good hygiene to reduce spread of viruses

The city has the second highest number of people reporting symptoms.

Health bosses have collected the figures based on the number of weekly GP consultations about flu-like symptoms.

In the city there were 103 weekly consultations per 100,000 people last week. However, as patients are no longer swabbed for swine flu, there is no breakdown of exactly how many have the virus, and how many people have seasonal flu.

Figures in Hampshire show that there were 1,820 assessments completed by the National Pandemic Flu Service in relation to swine flu last week, while in Southampton the figure was 379.

The rising number of people with flu-like symptoms has been noticed by some of the city’s major employers.

A spokesman for financial giant Skandia, based in Southampton, said: “We are keeping a watchful eye on these cases. The trend is following the same shape as last year but there are slightly more cases this year, but nothing to cause us great concern.”

Noeleen McFarland, manager in public health for NHS Hampshire, urged everyone to practise good hygiene to prevent the spread of germs.

She said “The number of influenza-like illnesses in Hampshire is steadily increasing and we are encouraging everyone in the priority groups to get their seasonal and swine flu vaccine when invited by their GP.

“Everyone playing their part to catch, bin and kill germs, as well as practising good hand hygiene, will help to reduce the spread of viruses.”

Vaccine deliveries to GP practices are continuing for at-risk priority groups.

The estimated number of new swine flu cases in England last week was 84,000, with the total number of hospitalised patients at 848, with 172 in critical care.

Anyone with flu-like symptoms should call the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1 513 513 or log onto direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu.

Those with serious underlying health conditions and pregnant women are advised to call their doctor rather than use the National Pandemic Flu Service.