CASES of swine flu in East Lancashire have fallen dramatically, according to latest figures.

In the week commencing August 17, there were 27 observed cases in the Blackburn with Darwen PCT area, and 42 in the East Lancashire PCT area.

Five cases were treated with anti-virals in Blackburn with Darwen, with less than five treated in the same way by East Lancashire PCT.

This shows a dramatic fall in cases from last month. On July 25, the Lancashire Telegraph reported cases for NHS Blackburn with Darwen stood at around 464, with a 560 per cent week-on-week increase recorded between early and mid July.

The rate was then running at 390 cases per 100,000. It is now 24.6 per 100,000 in Blackburn with Darwen and 16.4 per 100,000 in East Lancashire.

There have been no reported deaths from the illness in East Lancashire, though there has been one confirmed case, and another suspected case in Central Lancashire.

In England as a whole, there has been a further reduction in the rates of flu-like illness and related activity and the majority of cases continue to be mild. There is no sign that the virus is changing.

Health Protection Agency modelling gives an estimate of 5,000 new cases in England last week.