Family doctors in west Kent are reporting a rise in suspected swine flu cases.

In the week ending October 11 the GP consultation rate stood at 46.3 per 100,000 people in Maidstone, Malling, Tunbridge Wells, plus Gravesham.

But by week ending October 18, that had increased to 65.1 consultations per 100,000 people.

There have been no deaths in the west Kent area but nationally there have been 128, according to the latest figures.

So far 689 people have been admitted to hospital in connection with swine flu, across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

The increase in consultations led NHS West Kent, the primary care trust, to urge people to help stop the spread of infectious diseases by following simple hygiene measures such as ensuring hands are cleaned thoroughly.

It has also set up 49 collection points where people can get the Tamiflu anti-viral medication.

Stocks of the swine flu vaccine were sent to health trusts last week, 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.”