Swine flu 'outbreak' is declared

Swine flu prevention measures are being stepped up in Jersey

A swine flu "outbreak" has been declared in Jersey, following a sharp increase in cases.

The health department said there were 119 cases in the island last week compared with 34 the previous week.

Half of the swabs taken for swine flu are now being confirmed as positive and 80% are children.

It said Jersey would enter a "heightened phase" of containment and forehead thermometers are being sent to every home in the island.

An outbreak is classified as being when the number of swine flu cases becomes higher than the number of seasonal flu cases.

'Children vaccinated'

Dr Ivan Muscat, the consultant leading the control of the outbreak, said: "Swine flu cases are now higher than the number of seasonal flu cases we would expect to see at this time of the year.

"We're also seeing clusters in schools around the island.

"By Wednesday all school and nursery children will have been offered the vaccine. As it takes 14 days for immunity to develop, we have to do all we can to contain the virus until the vaccine takes effect."

Instead of waiting for lab results doctors will now assume that everyone who has a clinical diagnosis of swine flu has the virus and will offer Tamiflu.

Increased measures are also being introduced in schools.

Dr Muscat said: "To slow the spread of swine flu we will be offering Tamiflu more widely to school contacts."

Thermometers will be posted out to every home in Jersey along with a letter explaining how it works and a leaflet with information about looking after children with symptoms.

The thermometers are reusable and can be used by all the family.

Dr Muscat told BBC News: "With numbers increasing on a daily basis now, it's important that people are able to check their temperature as a fever of 38C or more is a key symptom of swine flu.

"People should still contact their doctor for treatment or to be signed off from work."