Swine flu cases rise slightly in England

Swine flu cases increased slightly in England last week, mostly in school-age children, British health authorities said Thursday.

Officials guessed there were about 5,000 new cases last week, compared to about 3,000 cases the week before. Since they are no longer counting individual swine flu cases, the numbers are only a rough estimate.

The swine flu epidemic peaked in Britain over the summer, when there were about 100,000 new cases every week. But the virus soon plateaued, and cases dropped sharply.

Officials have warned the virus could surge in the fall, after schools reopened in September and as the temperature drops. Children are …