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Almost a quarter of the country's most seriously ill swine flu victims are in London hospitals, figures show.
Chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said the number of people severely affected is "snowballing" despite the increase in people catching the virus slowing down. The latest Health Protection Agency figures show that 172 people are in intensive care units with swine flu in England, and 39 of them (22 per cent) are in London. Three more people died with the virus in London in the past week, bringing the total deaths in the capital to 39.
Sir Liam said the reason for the jump in severe cases is unknown, although the virus is not thought to have mutated. He said: "It is consistent with what happened in the southern hemisphere and it is unexplained." He added that hospitals, rather than GP surgeries, are now under pressure.
Dr Chloe Sellwood, Pandemic Flu Lead at NHS London, said the capital has more critical care beds than anywhere else so is taking more patients.
Reader views (12)
The Evelina hospital in London where my niece Jessie was treated for swine flu was amazing. The hospital was extremely clean and all staff and visitors used basic hygiene! Do not criticise our NHS.
- Lindsey Flewker, Herne Bay England, 16/11/2009 19:24
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In answer to Richards comment I would have said nearer 40% of UKs population live in London and they way its going even more numbers.You only have to travel on any public transport in and around the capital to see the amount of people coughing and sneezing all over everyone else so no wonder its out of control here
- Mike, London England and once GREAT Britain, 06/11/2009 15:56
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Sorry, guys. UK has neither a competent public health infrastructure nor a sufficiently robust attitude towards basic personal hygiene.
- Mary, London, UK, 06/11/2009 15:42
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Neil, get a grip love, next you will be talking about the 'illuminati' wanting to kill off 50% of the world's poulation!!! Funny enough a taxi driver was banging on about that to me - stop reading the Di Vinci Code and keep your mind focused on the road, that's what I said!
I can think of better ways for pharmaceuticals to make money or kill off large numbers of people.
- Wendy, London, 06/11/2009 15:23
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Graham, 9 deaths so far in Germany. Almost all victims had severe illnesses before they contracted swine flu. A small number of schools have been closed. There was one confirmed case of swine flu at my children's school,however, a great number of pupils missing due to the common cold which is not surprising at this time of year. No need to panic most people think. There is increasing pressure from the media (government?) that people should get vaccinated. I've asked a couple of doctors and so have several of my friends and not one has recommended the vaccine due to possible long term side effects.
- Caterine, Germany, 06/11/2009 14:57
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Perhaps it's because the hospitals in London are filthy and both the staff and many of the patients do not use basic hygiene.(Sarah, you're right).
- Nick, Shenzhen, China, 06/11/2009 13:54
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It is not "unexplained"; it is bio-terrorism at the hands of the vaccine manufacturers. Have a look at what's going on in Ukraine.
- Neil, London, London UK
I think we are being a bit paranoid, Neil. It terrorists wanted to go for us with bacteria and virus attacks, they would use something far more lethal than swine flu. And anyway, it originated in Mexico, as I recall.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 06/11/2009 12:42
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I live in Ukraine and as far as I can see there is insufficient diagnostics here to fully qualify what sort of flu various people have. Accordingly there is the danger that everyone reporting sever flu is instantly labelled as being a swine flu sufferer.
The temperature has recently dropped to close to zero (C) and every year when that happens flu cases rise. This year is a lot worse than usual but it is premature to describe the majority of flu sufferers as being victims of H1N1.
- Joe, Kiev, Ukraine, 06/11/2009 12:34
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The UK is not alone with this. There have been a number of deaths due to swine flu over here in Holland. Anybody know the statistics for the rest of Europe?
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands, 06/11/2009 12:33
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Well maybe if people used their tissues etc when sneezing, coughing it wouldn't be such a problem...It's unbelieveable to see people still not doing this on public transport and streets.
- Sarah, London, 06/11/2009 11:43
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...it's because a quarter of the UK's population is in London
- simples!
- Richard, London, 06/11/2009 10:47
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It is not "unexplained"; it is bio-terrorism at the hands of the vaccine manufacturers. Have a look at what's going on in Ukraine.
- Neil, London, London UK, 06/11/2009 10:21
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