It looks as if the Dutch A(H1N1) flu epidemic is at an end. Official figures show that the number of infections have fallen below that which indicates an epidemic.
A flu epidemic is defined as occurring when, for two weeks in a row, 51 people in every 100,000 of the population are diagnosed as having the disease. The Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research (NIVEL) says the number of people diagnosed as having the flu has been falling for weeks.
Last week, only 44 people in every 100,000 were diagnosed as being infected with swine flu (known as Mexican flu in the Netherlands). If the figure is again below 51 this week, the epidemic will have officially ended.
A(H1N1) flu infections are also falling in neighbouring countries such as Belgium, Germany and Great Britain.
photo: flu face mask (ANP)
flu face mask (ANP)
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