Cases of A/H1N1 flu are nearing epidemic levels in London and West Midlands, say GPs

London and the West Midlands are approaching epidemic consultation rates for A/H1N1 influenza, figures from the Royal College of General Practitioners show. Epidemic activity can be defined as 200 consultations with patients with influenza-like illness per 100 000 people per week.

At present, the national average is 51.9 per 100 000 and therefore well below epidemic levels. In London and the West Midlands, however, levels of 180 and 120 consultations are being observed, which is evidence that the outbreak in some parts of the United Kingdom is nearing epidemic proportions.

In the Health …