UK swine flue death toll hits 31 while 700 worldwide WHO says

The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns the number of people who have died after contracting H1NI swine flue in UK has reached at least 31, the ITN reveals.

According to ITN news, the latest patient died in the West Midlands and has yet to be identified. The individual had tested positive for swine flu but a cause of death has not yet been established.

The Daily Mirror said the 30th British swine flue victim died in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow was a young teen, aged 15, who had reportedly underlying medical conditions.

Nicola Sturgeon, Health Secretary passed on condolences to her family, said: "For the vast majority of people who have H1N1, they will experience relatively mild symptoms and make a full recovery." The ITN news said.

According to the BBC, WHO director-general Margaret Chan warned the virus was spreading faster than nay previous flu pandemic, and it will become the biggest flu pandemic ever seen.

WHO reported the swine flu has already killed more than 700 people worldwide sine the outbreak began four months ago, which represents a jump of at least two-thirds from the last official death toll figure of 429, published on 6 July, the BBC has learnt.

However, WHO went on to say the overwhelming majority of patients usually recover, even without medical treatment after their failing ill, said the BBC.

Compared to previous pandemics, WHO told the BBC the flu viruses have needed more than six months to spread, but the new H1N1 virus has spread in less than six weeks.

Aphaluck Bhatiasevi, WHO spokesman said a group of experts, including mathematicians, epidemiologists, and virologists, were examining various measures countries could take to slow the spread of the disease, the BBC has learnt.

Ms Bhatiasevi added school could close following the closure recommendation, but it entirely depends on every single country to take the appropriate step which is mostly suitable for them.

Experts predict that there will be a significant surge of new cases of swine flu in the northern hemisphere when the weather begins to cool in the autumn, said the BBC.

While the flu pandemic continues, The Department of Health (DoH) advises in order to practise good hygiene, people need to wash hands and surfaces regularly, according to the BBC.

The DoH also corrected “all expectant mothers should avoid crowded places and unnecessary travel” said by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), the BBC reports.
The DoH told the BBC only the “particularly concerned” should consider the advice.