New healthcare plan for swine flu may be needed as virus predicted to return

The swine flu virus that swept through the UK last year could make a return this winter, meaning a new healthcare plan to treat the illness may be needed.

Scientists fear the H1N1 virus could return in an even more aggressive form than the one that killed an estimated 18,000 worldwide in 2009.

Scottish-based bacteriologist Professor Hugh Pennington told the Sun that history shows that flu epidemics usually return and are more deadly when they do so.

"In 1918-19, when 50 million died of H1N1, the second wave was much more serious than the first," he said.

"It is reasonable to expect swine flu to return this winter. One possibility is we might get another virus which is a more lethal mutation."

The news provider reports that the NHS in Scotland will next week begin a campaign urging vulnerable people in the country to get vaccinated against swine flu.

"Most people will recover naturally within a week. But those with health conditions, including heart and lung problems, are at an increased risk of experiencing serious complications," said and NHS spokesperson.

Last year, the government set up a special swine flu hotline and website to help people worried they may have the virus. 

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