Swine flu briefing - 16 October 2009

Rates of influenza-like illness continue to increase, but steadily rather than explosively. There were an estimated 27,000 new swine flu cases in the past week, up from 18,000 the week before. The Health Protection Agency has said this indicates a doubling of the numbers every fortnight.

The disease is mild in most people so far, but is proving severe in a small minority of cases. Globally, 4,703 people with swine flu have died. In the past seven days, the total number of deaths reported globally has increased by 4% - the same increase as reported last week.

Read the full briefing here...........