Swine flu: infection rate not as bad as first feared

THE number of cases of swine flu in the Island is not as high as had been feared, the director of public health has confirmed.
But Dr Parameswaran Kishore revealed that he himself had now recovered after going down with suspected swine flu.
The Island is shortly expecting a delivery date for the H1N1 virus vaccine but legal issues of liability have still to be resolved, Dr Kishore said.
Two makes of licensed vaccine will be available to be given to priority groups including those with underlying health problems, pregnant women and frontline health staff.
But no one will be forced to have the jab.
Full figures for the number of swine flu cases are not available as the Island has moved into the treatment phase so patients are no longer actually tested unless they are admitted to hospital with complications.
Prior to the Island moving from a containment phase to a treatment phase at the end of September, there were 56 confirmed cases of H1N1.
Since then, there have been 48 suspected cases of swine flu tested on admission to Noble's Hospital of which 20 were confirmed to have the H1N1 virus.
During October 49 doses of Tamiflu anti-flu drug have been prescribed plus two doses of Relenza, prescribed for pregnant women.
Dr Kishore insisted: 'The number of cases is not that high.
'We had an initial peak in September. We had a bit of a spike but then it seemed to go down. During half term you would usually get a reduction but we would then expect to see the number of cases going up a couple of weeks after the schools go back.
'We don't want to be complacent and will keep a watchful eye on the situation.' 
Dr Kishore revealed he believed he had gone down with swine flu himself, alongside his son and daughter, during the October half term.
He said: 'My boy came down with the classic symptoms on the Monday.
'The symptoms came on quite rapidly within about 15 minutes. He was feeling fine then he was throwing up and his temperature shot up. My daughter got it and then I got it on the Thursday. My temperature went up to 39.5 degrees. 
'By Friday I was starting to recover and on Monday I came back to work. Everybody is OK.'
Dr Kishore said there had been legal issues over the vaccines that needed to be resolved.
He said that the UK had liability clauses which were not applicable to the Isle of Man.
'It's was about making sure every angle is covered. It's more or less resolved and we will soon get a date for the delivery of the vaccine.'
Of the two licensed vaccines, one is produced by GlaxoSmithKline and the other by Baxter.
GlaxoSmithKline's product is a so-called 'adjuvanted' vaccine which is used to get the best immune response, meaning it's a smaller quantity injected to gain a response. But it contains a chemical called Thiomersal, of which they has been some concerns over its use on pregnant women.
The World Health Organisation has said it is safe to be used to treat mothers-to-be against the H1N1 virus, however.
But Dr Kishore said the Baxter vaccine, which is not an adjuvant nor does it have Thiomersal, would be used for pregnant women.
People living alone or in isolated areas falling victim to swine flu this winter are to be given a lifeline.
Flu Friends, run by the Isle of Man Council for Voluntary Organisations, is aimed at those who may find themselves housebound due to flu but without any family, friends or neighbourly support to fall back on.
For anyone calling the Flu Friends number, a team of volunteers will be on hand to carry out everyday tasks such as shopping, delivering meals and collecting drug prescriptions.
Manx Telecom is installing the free-of-charge line at the Red Cross headquarters on the Isle of Man Business Park. It will go live if a pandemic is declared.