HEALTH authorities deny that swine flu is out of control as Redbridge is named one of the worst affected London boroughs.

According to figures from the Health Protection Agency, Redbridge is in the top ten boroughs in the capital for swine flu, with one in 244 people having shown symptoms of the potentially deadly virus.

This compares to Tower Hamlets at the top of the list, with one case in every 126 people, and London as a whole, with an average of one in 325.

The news comes after staff at Ilford's King George Hospital last week claimed they were being bombarded by members of the public demanding the swine flu treatment Tamiflu, despite national warnings for people with suspected cases to stay at home.

And just two weeks ago the community was devastated by the shocking death of a South Woodford mum-of-seven, who lost her life to the virus shortly after giving birth at Whipps Cross Hospital.

Ruptara Miah, 39, of Radleys Lane, had been paralysed from the waist down after surviving a car crash last year.

The Government's new online flu service was launched last week, prescribing 5,584 doses of Tamiflu in its first day.

A spokesman for NHS Redbridge said: “It is pointless comparing infection rates between London boroughs because the sheer density and proximity of the capital’s population means infection rate are inevitably higher than elsewhere.

“NHS Redbridge has been preparing for a pandemic for a number of years and is confidant it can tackle any developments.”

  Residents are asked to adhere to basic hygiene rules, including regularly washing hands, disposing of used tissues in lidded bins, and wiping down communally used areas with mild disinfectant.

A vaccine is expected to be ready in September, but in the meantime residents should stay at home if they experience symptoms and contact their GP or the national helpline on: 0800 1513 513 or visit: direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu