North's swine flu cases rise to 43
The number of swine flu cases in the North is continuing to accelerate.
Five more cases were confirmed today by the Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety, bringing the total to 43.
The number has increased from 25 in just one week – and there are another 23 cases currently being investigated.
Tow of the new cases are people who picked the virus up outside the North and three are contacts of previously confirmed cases. All are at home and recovering well, said the DHSSPS.
Earlier this week, Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said it was likely that around a third of the population – some 600,000 people – would have been infected with the virus within the next few months.
The routine testing of people with suspected swine flu has been scrapped together with the tracing of close contacts of those with symptoms. Anti-virals will also no longer be used as a preventative measure against swine flu, said the minister.
