NHS Somerset has moved to reassure people in Bridgwater there is enough vaccine to deal with the flu outbreak this winter.

Julie Yates, public health consultant for NHS Somerset, said swine flu was one of the more prominent strains of the virus causing people to fall ill in the county but confirmed there was a sufficient amount of vaccine available.

She told the Mercury: “It's not just swine flu, it's seasonable flu and flu B that is also causing people to be ill.

“The percentage of people that have illness is small, compared to the 60 million people in this country, and we don't want to alarm the population.

“Patients admitted to hospital with flu symptoms are treated at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton and it is coping very well.

“It has had patients needing medical and intensive care but they plan very well for this and have no had problems dealing with the numbers of patients.”

For more advice on how to treat flu this winter, visit click the related link below or follow these steps.

People with flu typically have a fever or a high temperature (over 38C/100.4F) and two or more of the following symptoms: · Unusual tiredness · Headache · Runny nose · Sore throat · Shortness of breath or cough · Loss of appetite · Aching muscles · Diarrhoea and/or vomiting You can help stop the spread of colds and flu by: · Covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, use a tissue when possible · Disposing of your dirty tissue quickly and in a bin · Maintaining good basic hygiene, wash your hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from hands to face or other people · Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently with a normal cleaning product · Making sure your children follow these steps.