NEW cases of suspected swine flu in Devon have dropped to almost zero as it was confirmed a national service aimed at fighting the virus was standing down.

As of tomorrow the National Pandemic Flu Service, set up in July last year at the height of the first wave of the pandemic, will end, reflecting the now low levels of influenza.

Since its launch, 16,220 courses of antivirals to fight swine flu have been issued in Devon, almost 2,900 of them in Exeter.

But in a sign of how much the virus has eased, in the week beginning July 13 last year 1,802 antivirals were issued in Devon, compared to just 47 in the county last week.

Anyone in Devon who thinks they may have swine flu is now being encouraged to contact their doctor by telephone for advice and treatment, rather than visit the surgery in person.

Both the online and telephone self-care service will stop, and care will go back to GPs, who will be able to authorise antivirals if they are needed.

The National Pandemic Flu Service was launched to reduce the pressure on GP practices by providing assessments and issuing antivirals where needed.

In the South West region as a whole more than 100,000 courses of antivirals were collected through the service.

People who are most at risk from swine flu are still being encouraged to have a vaccination as it will help prevent complications, hospital admissions and deaths in potential future outbreaks. This is especially important as swine flu is expected to be the dominant flu virus during the 2010 flu season.

Dr Virginia Pearson, director of flu for NHS Devon, said: "The National Pandemic Flu Service has been successful in helping thousands of people in the South West to get the antiviral treatment they need to recover from swine flu.

"In the meantime, swine flu has not vanished and we would urge people in the higher risk groups to get their vaccination, to protect them ready for the next flu season."