Swine flu `cannot be contained`

The number of swine-flu cases may reach 100,000 a day by August and can no longer be contained, according to the Government.

Said health minister Andy Burnham: "Cases are doubling every week, and our national focus will now be on treating these increasing numbers."

He said that efforts to trace people who have been in contact with sufferers will stop, and affected schools will only close if particular circumstances demand it.

At the same time, anti-viral drugs will only be offered as treatment, not prevention, and pressure on GPs and hospitals will ease as more people receive diagnosis and treatment via other routes.

Finally, the Health Protection Agency will pass day-to-day responsibility to the NHS website and swine flu information line, and later to the National Pandemic Flu Service.

Meanwhile, Mr Burnham said, the Government has secured enough vaccine for the whole population, with first deliveries expected next month and enough for 30 million people by the end of the year.

Copyright Press Association 2009

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