British health officials estimate swine flu cases have increased by about 50 percent in England since last week, with about 14,000 new cases.
Since they are no longer counting individual cases, the numbers released Thursday by the Health Protection Agency are only a rough guess. Swine flu cases have steadily risen in the Northern Hemisphere since schools reopened last month and temperatures dropped.
The amount of Tamiflu being given out to people with suspected swine flu continues to rise. Last week, more than 12,000 treatments were given to people aged 25 to 44. Experts have criticized Britain's liberal approach to handing out Tamiflu, which could encourage drug resistance.
Britain expects to start a vaccination program soon.
Copyright 2009 AP Features
