THE number of people diagnosed with swine flu in Scotland has surged to 1217.
THE number of people diagnosed with swine flu in Scotland has surged to 1217.
There was a rise of 57 in the number of cases confirmed, the Scottish Government said.
The majority of the new cases - 43 - are in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
In Lanarkshire, a further eight people were diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, three in Forth Valley, and one each in Grampian, Tayside and the Lothians.
Of the latest cases, only two are travel-related.
Six people with the virus remain in hospital.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Our message on simple hand and respiratory hygiene measures, backed by the catch it, bin it, kill it' message, is still very important in helping limit the spread of the outbreak.
"These basic safeguards have helped slow the spread but we are very aware that as the outbreak develops through community transmission we will eventually need to move the focus to a flexible model of treatment based on the way the outbreak develops in individual local areas.
"We continue to closely monitor the patterns of spread and development and we are well prepared to cope should the circumstances demand it as we progress closer to the availability of a vaccine."
It emerged yesterday that 14 cases of swine flu were confirmed in Fife over the weekend and not 16 as previously thought, bringing the total number of people with the virus in Scotland to 1217.
REVEALED: Expert tips on how to cut risk
What is swine flu?Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by a strain of the influenza type A virus known as H1N1. The virus has made the jump from pigs to humans and is now passing easily from person to person. Swine flu is transmitted in the same way as other types of flu, through coughing, sneezing and touching contaminated surfaces.
What does a pandemic mean?
A disease is classed as a pandemic when it becomes a worldwide epidemic. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), this means the virus is spreading in the community in two or more counties in one region of the world, and at least one country in another region of the world. A pandemic signifies phase 6 - the highest level of threat.
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Around 140 people have died so far from swine flu but the illness is mostly causing mild symptoms at present. Some health experts believe the virus could mutate and become more deadly as the UK moves into winter. Symptoms of swine flu include fever and flu-like symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, limb or joint aches and pains, and headaches. Some people have reported suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea.
What steps can I take to prevent catching swine flu?
People can reduce their risk and help slow the spread of the virus. People should wash their hands regularly and catch coughs and sneezes in tissues which should then be promptly thrown away. The flu virus can linger on all types of surfaces for up to 24 hours and is easily transferred via the fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes.
Which groups of people are most at risk from swine flu?
Seasonal winter flu usually strikes the elderly and very young but current indications are that swine flu is targeting people of working age. The suggestion is that older people may have some immunity to this type of flu from when they were younger. Groups at risk of complications include people on immunosuppressants, those with asthma or a chest disease and diabetics.
What treatments are there?
Flu viruses have the ability to mutate, which makes it difficult to predict what will happen. However, testing has shown that H1N1 can be treated with the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, which comes in the form of an inhaler. These drugs are not a "cure" for swine flu but can help reduce symptoms and cut the length of time somebody is ill. The UK has enough Tamiflu to cover half of the population but orders are in place for 50million doses enough to cover 80% of the population. Pharmaceutical companies are working on a swine flu vaccine which will not be available until the end of the year.
