MORE than 500 people have been diagnosed with swine flu in Wales since the start of the outbreak.

Latest figures show there were 47.5 cases of a flu-like illness diagnosed by GPs out of every 100,000 people in Wales — the equivalent of 1,425 people contacting their doctor in the past seven days.

A total of 522 laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu have been reported in Wales and 327 had been admitted to hospital since the start of the outbreak.

There were 71 clinically diagnosed patients in hospital in connection with swine flu, 20 of who had to be treated in critical care.

Swine flu has claimed the lives of 14 people in Wales, along with the further death of a Welsh swine flu victim abroad.

The majority of the 182 people who died of swine flu across Britain had underlying health conditions.

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Dr Roland Salmon, director of the communicable disease surveillance centre, of the National Public Health Service for Wales, (NPHS) said: "The number of people contacting their GP with flu symptoms has stalled. It is too early to say whether this changing trend means the rate of consultations for influenza has peaked.

"The vaccine against swine flu has been tested and approved. It is now being offered to people at most risk of complications from the virus as well, as front line health and social care workers."

People with flu-like symptoms should check www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk or by calling the swine flu information line on 0800 1513513.