Wales steps up swine-flu campaign

The campaign, which will add to the leaflets sent to all homes earlier this year, comes as figures show a fall in the number of people with symptoms contacting their GP and is intended to combat complacency over swine flu.

Health officials said it was normal for there to be fluctuations in flu outbreaks, and predict that the rate will increase amid further waves of the virus over the next year.

Using good hand and respiratory hygiene to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading the virus is the main thrust of the campaign, which is also targeted at visitors to Wales during the current summer holiday season.

Wales did not join the interim National Pandemic Flu Service that was launched in England to cope with the increase in pressure on health services.

Deputy chief medical officer for Wales Dr Jane Wilkinson said: ‘We are strengthening existing services, such as training more call handlers for NHS Direct Wales, in the same way as Scotland did to manage the increased pressure.’

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