11:30am Thursday 5th November 2009
CASES of swine flu in Dorset have been rising steadily as GP surgeries prepare to start vaccinating patients at particular risk from the disease.
NHS Dorset spokeswoman Claire Warner said: “We are probably at the start of the second wave, but we think we won’t see a steep rise. The pattern suggests we will see a lower number than in the first wave, but it will last longer.”
Although some Dorset schools have been hit by swine flu, schools are expected to stay open unless staffing levels fall too low.
Hospitals were the first to receive deliveries of swine flu vaccine and have started immunising frontline staff.
Poole Hospital vaccinated |500 clinical staff in the first three days.
GP Dr Lionel Cartwright, a member of NHS Bournemouth and Poole’s Professional Executive Committee, said: “Although we are seeing an increase in the number of people presenting with flu-like symptoms, this is currently no higher than the incidence of normal seasonal flu at this time of year.
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