Rothbury swine flu victim has no idea how he got it

Jul 6 2009 By The Journal

The total number of cases in the region now stands at just under 50, with around 7,000 nationwide. Four people who have had swine-flu have died across Britain.

The Health Protection Agency last week said the UK has moved past the stage of containing the outbreak and into the "treatment phase."

And the government has warned that the number of cases could soar to 100,000 a day by next month.

It has signed contracts with medical companies for the supply of 130 million doses of swine flu vaccine – enough for the entire population.

It is not clear who will be given the vaccine first but health workers and at-risk groups – people with heart disease, diabetes or asthma, and children under five – are likely to be the priority.