A TOTAL of 700 people in Bury have been given anti-viral drugs for suspected swine flu in the last six days.

Despite the rapid spread of the virus, health bosses have urged residents not to panic.

Dr Peter Elton, Bury’s director of public health, said: “The local health services are dealing well with the extra pressure.

“Most people who have the swine flu have had an unpleasant but mild disease and recovered fully without any complications.”

A National Pandemic Flu Service is expected to be launched this week to tell patients quickly if they have swine flu, without the need to contact their GP.

The UK has had approximately 100,000 suspected cases of swine flu, according to estimates by the Health Protection Agency. Thirty people have died after contracting it, many of whom had underlying health problems.