The Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly, Mario Galea, announced this afternoon that the national strategy to tackle the influenza A (H1N1) virus pandemic will be changing to a treatment phase from next week.

This will mean that all vulnerable patients will start receiving Tamiflu without having to have a swab test first. As from next Monday, children under 5 however severe their symptoms, pregnant women who show signs of flu, and people with chronic illnesses or complications, will all be administered the medication without tests.

Courses of Relenza, will be given to patients who are allergic to Tamiflu.

The change has been brought about by the increase in flu cases. Calculations show that 80-90% with flu symptoms are suffering from the swine flu, although this had been expected, it was said that their was no reason to be alarmed but to remain cautious.

The Health Division said it will be receiving the first supplies of Influenza A(H1N1) vaccine by the end of December and the vaccination programme will start in the first week in January 2010, starting with the vunerable groups.

It was reported that up to yesterday their had been 683 cases of A(H1N1) flu reported, this had lead to 92 admissions into hosptial and 3 deaths. However due to the fact that mild cases had not been recorded for some time, it is thought that the actual numbers are much higher.

It was advised that everyone should be aware of staying indoors and taking the normal precautions, particularly during this festive season.

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