Increase in number of new swine flu cases in England, says HPA

The number of new cases of swine flu in England has risen for the first time since July, new figures indicate.

Figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show there were an estimated 5,000 new cases last week.

The rise has been linked to the end of the summer holidays and children returning to school.

Health officials have warned there may be a second wave of the H1N1 virus in the UK as the winter approaches.

Commenting on the figures, England’s chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson, said: “It does begin to suggest swine flu is coming back.

“We would naturally have hoped for a bit more breathing space before it started again.”

The number of deaths associated with swine flu in the UK now stands at 79, with more than 150 people in hospital.