MORE people in Suffolk are set to get swine flu over the next month, health officials have warned.Latest figures show that the numbers of people in the county, who have contracted the virus, has gone up and this is set to continue with the arrival of Autumn.

MORE people in Suffolk are set to get swine flu over the next month, health officials have warned.

Latest figures show that the numbers of people in the county, who have contracted the virus, has gone up and this is set to continue with the arrival of Autumn.

People who think they may have flu are able to contact the National Pandemic Flu Service for assessment of their symptoms and those confirmed as having swine flu symptoms are issued with a unique reference number. This gives them access to anti-virals at an Anti-Viral Collection Point.

The number of those in Suffolk who were issued with a URN for the week from August 31 was 329. This is up from the previous week, commencing August 24, when 264 URNs were issued. The number of anti-virals collected also rose, from 158 for the August 24 week, to 220 for August 31 week.

Figures also show there are currently ten people in hospital in connection with swine flu across the east of England, and four deaths have occurred across the region since the outbreak, which covers Suffolk, Norfolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, and Bedfordshire.

A briefing note for the NHS East of England states: 'Swine flu is continuing to spread throughout the UK. So far, most swine flu cases have been mild, with symptoms similar to those of seasonal flu.'

Ways to prevent spreading the virus includes regularly washing your hands with soap and water, and using tissues to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

If you think you may have swine flu contact the National Pandemic Flu Service on 0800 1513100 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu to be assessed.