FIGURES for the week 22-28 November this year show that the number of cases of swine flu in the Balearics is still on the increase.
All types of flu during this week, of which the H1N1 virus goes to make up 98 percent, stood at 187.86 per 100'000 head of population. This compares with 180.24 registered during the previous week, an increase of 7.62 percent.
Looking at regional Public Health reports for the same week a year ago, the rate of flu was only 21.56 percent for every 100'000 head of population.
Despite the spread of swine flu in the Balearics, and indeed forecasts are that the number of cases will continue to increase, the figures remain lower than the national average which between 22 and 28 November stood at 243.71 (55.85 percent more than in the Balearics.) The regional ministry for Health and Consumer Affairs maintains that 98 percent of cases of swine flu are light and can be treated at home with rest and medication. Vaccinations are available for high risk groups which consist of young children, pregnant women and those suffering from specific chronic diseases such as diabetes.