DoH announces 3,597 confirmed UK cases of swine flu

There are now 3,597 confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK, health secretary Andy Burnham has announced.

Giving a press conference this morning, Mr Burnham also asserted the government had signed contracts to deliver vaccines for the H1N1 virus for the entire UK population.

So far there has only been one confirmed death in the UK from the virus.

Jacqueline Fleming, 38, died in hospital in Paisley after suffering a series of health complications following the premature birth of her son Jack, who also died a few days later.

Mr Burnham said the government’s containment strategy had been successful and would remain but more flexibility was needed in some areas.

The health secretary said he had witnessed first-hand evidence of sustained community-based transmission.

Mr Burnham urged members of the public with flu symptoms to remain at home and contact health officials, but declared that most of the confirmed cases of swine flu were so far proving mild.