The number of new cases of swine flu has fallen for the first time in months, raising hopes that the second wave of the pandemic has peaked.

 

However, health officials warned that the drop could be an anomaly caused by school closures over half-term and urged at risk patients to still take the vaccine.

 

There were an estimated 64,000 new cases in England last week, down from 84,000 the previous week.

 

The death toll in England from the virus now stands at 124, up from 105 last week.

 

However, the number of people in hospital with swine flu has dropped slightly to 785, of whom 173 are in intensive care.

 

Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer, cautioned that the dip in cases did not meant that they would not rise again next week.

 

The impact of school holidays over half term could last two weeks, he said, insisting that next week's figures should give a clearer picture of how the virus is developing.

 

Last month cases in America recorded a small dip only to rise again the following week.

 

Children have been described as ‘super spreaders’ of the swine flu, and there have been numerous outbreaks of the because of the virus in schools across the country.

 

The Department of Health is also publishing new guidance for pregnant women about the dangers of swine flu, which urges them to have the vaccine.

 

The information is being placed on the Department's website and leaflets will be in GP surgeries from next week.

 

Sir Liam said the Government was making a "strong recommendation" to pregnant women to have the jab, because they are known to be at higher risk of complications than many members of the public.

 

Source from: Telegraph.co.uk