Swine flu epidemic running as predicted, despite surge in cases
The third death, the fact that the victim was a child, and an apparent surge in diagnoses of swine flu by 1,604 since Friday may make it seem as though the epidemic has reached a worrying new phase – but the pattern is exactly as experts had predicted. The three who died had been ill, and were vulnerable with damaged immune systems. The surge in cases is not as big as it seems, because the 1,604 includes the weekend as well as Monday's new cases. But there are now around 500 a day instead of a few dozen. As the numbers of infected grow, the danger to the frail, ill and infirm increases. But that does not mean this strain of flu has become any more virulent. As the Department of Health reiterates with every daily bulletin: "The cases of swine flu found in the UK...
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