SWINE flu has been spreading rapidly through Herefordshire.

NHS Herefordshire and Herefordshire Council have confirmed there has been a rapid increase in the numbers of diagnosis by local GPs.

Several schools and nurseries have small numbers of pupils diagnosed who are being treated and recovering at home. Several employers also have reports of staff diagnosed.

Hundreds of council and PCT employees have been redeployed to staff a local swine flu information line and antiviral collection points which can be activated when required.

NHS Herefordshire stresses health services are managing current cases and for most patients the illness is moderate.

*For full story see tomorrow’s Hereford Times.