HEALTH bosses say they are pleased with Bolton’s response to swine flu — and they are reassuring people they are ready for whatever happens next.

The public is being urged to remain vigilant for the virus, despite the number of cases falling in the past week.

The latest estimation for the town, released last Monday, showed that 1,790 people collected anti-viral medication for suspected swine flu in the previous week, down almost 500 cases, from 2,285, the week before.

The cause of the reduction is not known, but is in line with the national picture, with figures released on Thursday showing the number of new estimated cases for the previous seven days at 30,000, compared to 100,000 the week before.

Wendy Pickard, NHS Bolton associate director of service provision, said: “We are pleased our staff responded so well to what seems to have been the initial peak in the swine flu pandemic.

“Our anti-viral centre has been working according to plan and was able to adapt quickly to the launch of the National Pandemic Flu Service.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and ensure we remain ready to respond however the pandemic develops over the coming weeks and months.”

Dr Ruth Hussey, North West regional director of public health, added: “We need people to be vigilant and continue to use their own judgement.

“If you contact the national flu service or your GP and are diagnosed with swine flu, but continue to have concerns, it is important to contact your GP as soon as possible.”

Symptoms of swine flu are a sudden fever and cough and others may include headache, tiredness, aching muscles, diarrhoea or stomach upset, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing and loss of appetite.

The National Swine Flu Service can be contacted on 0800 1513 513 for information or 0800 1513 100 for treatment or visit direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu.

cherry.thomas@ theboltonnews.co.uk