Swine flu cases across the county are showing significant fluctuations.

Parts of Kent has seen sharp falls, while other areas are reporting cases much higher than the national average.

Medway has seen the highest rise, while West Kent and Eastern and Coastal Kent have seen a fall.

In Medway, figures for those reporting to their GP with flu-like symptoms shot up from 20 per 100,000 population to 32 for the week beginning October 19.

For that week, The West Kent GP consultation rate actually dropped slightly to 64 per 100,000 people, from 65.1 per 100,000 population the previous week.

But it is still much higher than the regional average.

The East Kent PCT also reported a drop from 30.4 rates per 100,000 people to 28.7.

For the week beginning October 19 those seeking help in the South East Coast region was 38.7 per 100,000. This compares to 26.6 per 100,00 the week before.

So far 762 people have been admitted to hospital with swine flu across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, according to the latest figures.

Kent has 143 collection points where people can get the Tamiflu anti-viral medication: 49 in West Kent, 29 in Medway and 65 in Eastern and Coastal Kent.

Stocks of the swine flu vaccine were sent to health trusts nearly two weeks ago, but it may be a little while before all GP surgeries have their stocks.

Dr Caroline Jessel, a GP in Maidstone and deputy medical director for NHS West Kent, added: “Practices will not contact all patients immediately, as the vaccine will be offered to patients in order of clinical priority.

"We are requesting that members of the public wait to be offered the vaccine by their GP in order to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the system.”

With the much-anticipated second wave of swine flu beginning to hit, medical professionals are stressing that people can help stop the spread of infectious diseases by following simple hygiene measures such as ensuring hands are cleaned thoroughly.

NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent's deputy director of public health Andrew Scott-Clark added: “It takes at least 15 seconds to clean hands properly - this is about how long it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday to you’ twice through!

"Everyone should encourage children to clean their hands by showing them how to do it properly, and by setting them a good example. Encouraging children to clean their hands at appropriate times will help to ensure that this practice becomes a lifelong habit.”

• For more information on Swine Flu:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Swineflu/DG_177831