LONDON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - The National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) set up to deal with the outbreak of swine flu is to close next week as fears about the outbreak ease and the number of new cases continues to drop, the government said on Feb. 4.
The service, which allowed patients to undergo telephone and online assessments to enable them to get antiviral drugs without having to go to their doctor, was launched in July last year when the number of infections was rising sharply.
But over Christmas the number of new cases of the H1N1 virus fell to the lowest level since the early stages of the outbreak and the service is no longer needed, Health Secretary Andy Burnham said.
The NPFS, which had 1,500 call centre staff, will now end on Feb. 11. People who think they have swine flu can still get antiviral drugs from their GP, while those in at-risk groups can still receive a vaccination.
"Our priority remains to vaccinate those most at risk from swine flu, as people are still in hospital from the virus and sadly some have died," the Department of Health said.
"This is the first time we have had a vaccine to protect people while a pandemic virus has been circulating, so it has undoubtedly helped us save lives."
Last summer, health officials warned that there could be more than 100,000 new cases of the flu a day and that as many as 65,000 could die.
But a study in December found the virus was far less lethal than feared and health officials said around 400 people in England who had contracted the flu had died.
The World Health Organisation said last month that the pandemic appeared to be easing but warned a third wave of infections could strike and risks remained. The Department of Health said the NPFS could be restored in a week if necessary.
