The outbreak of swine flu that increases exponentially in Britain could soon spread to the rest of Europe, European health officials warned. The annual flu season hit the UK earlier this season, with a sharp rise in cases last month. The predominant strain of swine influenza is responsible for the 2009 pandemic. Unlike most influenza viruses, the porcine variant particularly affects children under 65 and many of its victims are young, previously healthy, without underlying problems.
In Britain, the vaccine shortage forced the authorities to use the remnants of last year. Some hospitals have canceled non-urgent operations to serve the swine flu patients. Europe should pay attention to what happens in the country, health officials warned.
“What starts in Western Europe tends to move eastward,” said Angus Nicoll, flu director of coordination for the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.” Probably the same pattern will move forward to the rest of Europe, but simply do not know whether the impact on hospitals is so high.”
Nicoll said it is likely that some countries with particularly high rates of vaccination Finland, Norway, Oslo and Sweden to avoid a severe flu wave. Others like France or Germany should strengthen their immunization programs and hospitals prepare for an impending wave of cases.
Last week, there were 99 cases of swine flu per 100,000 people in Britain, which represents a reduction of 124 cases per 10,000 persons registered in December, according to the Royal College of General Practitioners.
Nearly 800 people with flu are being treated in intensive care units and 50 people have died. Most deaths occurred in people who had not been vaccinated.