It said swine flu was the “predominant virus” circulating and that reports of hospitalisations and intensive care admissions associated with flu “remain elevated”.
Advertisement
The wards they came from have also been closed.
There were 204 deaths out 364 positive cases of swine flu in the corresponding period (January to February 18) previous year, the official said.
“Sixteen patients on three hematology wards at the Leicester Royal Infirmary have developed symptoms that have been confirmed as flu”, Liz Collins, lead nurse for infection prevention said.
Swine flu is the common name for the H1N1 virus, a respiratory disease that is contracted through contact between humans and pigs.
“We always strongly recommend that those with a higher risk of complications or over the age of 65 have the seasonal flu vaccine which targets the three main strains of flu including H1N1 swine flu”.
A swine flu epidemic in 2009 killed more than 100 people in Mexico, and caused concern across the world as the number of confirmed cases in other countries rose daily.
It is understood three people, a child and two adults are being treated at the Glenfield Hospital.
The patients, who are suffering from the H1N1 strain of influenza, have had to be isolated in order to avoid a major outbreak.
Those who should be inoculated include people with underlying health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, heart, lung, liver or renal diseases, those with weakened immune systems, older people and pregnant women. Experts believe it spreads in the same way as seasonal flu, – through coughing and sneezing.
The spokesman added there was no need for panic: “We want to reassure people this is not like the swine flu of some years ago”.
Advertisement
A total 31 outbreaks of swine flu were reported in the United Kingdom since last week.
