PEOPLE who suspect they have swine flu are encouraged to contact their GP as the national flu service stands down.

The National Pandemic Flu Service (NPFS) will end on February 11, as levels of influenza remain low in the community.

Health bosses say Plymouth and the South West continues to be relatively unaffected by seaonal and swine flu with GP consultation rates in line with, or below, normal seasonal flu levels.

The number of people in hospital is 14, with two of those

in critical care.

From Februray 11 the online and phone self-care service will stop and people with suspected swine flu should stay at home and contact their GP who will be able to authorise antivirals if required.

The NPFS was launched in England on July 23 at the height of the first wave of the pandemic.

In the South West more than 100,000 courses of antivirals have been collected through the service since it started.

People who are most at risk from swine flu are still being encouraged to have the vaccine as it will help prevent complications.

This is especially important as swine flu is expected to be the predominant flu virus during the 2010 flu season.