Swine flu ‘less lethal’ than expected

There have been 26 deaths out of every 100,000 cases of swine flu in England, new figures have revealed.

The authors of the data claim the figures represent the “first influenza pandemic of the 21st century”.

However, they claim the figures also show swine flu is considerably less lethal than originally feared.

Following the Department of Health announcing a pandemic in June 2009, all primary care trusts and acute hospitals were urged to collate data on individuals who were believed to have died from swine flu.

Yesterday’s study, which was published in the BMJ journal, is the first analysis of said material and includes all known deaths in England from swine flu up until November 8th.

The research revealed two-thirds of the patients who died from swine flu would now be eligible for the government’s vaccination scheme.

Commenting, chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson said: “Viewed statistically, mortality in this pandemic compares favourably with 20th century influenza pandemics. A lower population impact than previous pandemics, however, is not a justification for public health inaction.”