HEALTH workers have been urged to vaccinate themselves against swine flu, after the number of sufferers in Worcestershire nearly doubled in a week.

Health bosses believe the increase marks the start of a second wave of the pandemic with more people likely to contract the illness over the next few weeks.

Last week, 601 so-called ‘flu friends’ collected the anti viral drug Tamiflu on behalf of sufferers, including 315 in Worcester, 205 in Redditch and 81 in Kidderminster.

The week before, only 364 people were given the drug in the county.

GP surgeries and county hospitals also reported an increase of swine flu patients this week.

Ash Banerjee, NHS Worcestershire’s public health consultant, said: “When the pandemic first started we had a lot of people coming with flu-like systems and then the number of cases dipped right down. Over the last few weeks the numbers have been creeping up.

“We’re expecting cases to continue to rise over the next few weeks.”

Dr Banerjee, who is in charge of NHS Worcestershire’s response to the pandemic, said random swabbing of flu sufferers had also showed an increase of the swine flu strain.

He said: “There are two or three measures that are showing it looks like there are more people with swine flu around. We are keeping a close eye on it.”

He advised people to keep away from sufferers and said those eligible for the vaccine should have it.

Frontline NHS staff and those at highest risk from the disease, which includes pregnant women and people with other medical problems, will be vaccinated first.

However, Dr Banerjee questioned figures released by Worcestershire Local Involvement Network, an independent body, which claimed only 20 per cent of NHS staff had taken up the vaccine.

Dr Banerjee said: “The vaccine was only launched last week so I don’t know where they have got those figures from.

“But I agree with them that all NHS people who are eligible should have it to protect themselves and their patients. For most people it will be a mild illness and they will get better within seven days.”

His advice came as footballers were told to stop spitting in a bid to stop the disease spreading – see more on our back page.

Phil Milligan, chief operating officer for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “There has been an increase in patients with swine flu symptoms but this is not currently causing the hospital any problems.”

Anyone who develops flu symptoms can call the National Pandemic Flu Service on 08001 513100.