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'Containment' to 'treatment'

As more people catch the virus in their communities rather than from abroad, it has become less effective to try and contain Swine Flu.

To allow health services to spend more time and energy treating the increasing numbers who have the virus, the government has decided to move from containment and outbreak management policies to the treatment phase.

The move from containment to treatment will apply in all four nations of the UK- England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This means that:

• GPs will be able to diagnose swine flu on the basis of symptoms rather than waiting for laboratory testing
  
• all tracing of people who have been in contact with a sufferer will stop
  
• people who may have been exposed to the virus will not be given anti-viral drugs
  
• anyone who is diagnosed with swine flu will continue to be offered anti-virals until further notice

Local primary care trusts will also begin to establish anti-viral collection points in their local communities. These could be at a designated pharmacy or a community centre, depending on local need.

Rapid spread of virus

Health Secretary Andy Burnham said that scientists now expect to see rapid rises in the number of cases. 

Cases are doubling every week and if it continues at this rate there could be over 100,000 cases per day by the end of August. However, he stressed that this was only a projection. 

Andy Burnham said:"Most cases of swine flu have not been severe and we are in a strong position to deal with this pandemic. 

"But we must not become complacent and, while doubt remains about the way the virus attacks different groups, today's decision on the move to the treatment phase reflects our caution."

Further information

• Swine flu - everything you need to know

• Do you have swine flu?

• Swine flu - treatment and prevention