Number Of UK Swine Flu Cases Falls

The number of deaths in England linked to swine flu jumped by nine to 36 in the past week, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said.

But the overall number of cases “decreased significantly” in the past seven days and there is no evidence that the virus is mutating.

The HPA, at a briefing in London, said 530 patients had been admitted to hospital in England – down on last week’s total of 793.

The HPA estimated there were 30,000 new cases of swine flu in England, but said the majority of cases continued to be “mild”.

“There is no sign that the virus is changing,” said the HPA.

“It is not becoming more severe or developing resistance to anti-virals.”

The number of weekly GP consultations dropped over the past week, coinciding with the launch of the National Pandemic Flu Service.