LONDON, June 26 (UPI) -- British health ministers said the H1N1 flu virus is spreading too fast to be contained in London and the West Midlands.

Health officials in the two areas have been told they may have to abandon efforts to arrest the spread of the virus -- formerly called swine flu -- and concentrate on treating infected people, The Independent said Friday.


Healthcare providers have been instructed to give anti-viral drugs to patients showing symptoms, and have been told lab testing and tracking contacts may end, the British newspaper said.

More than 3,500 cases have been confirmed and tens of thousands more instances could emerge each week by autumn, Britain's lead medical officer Liam Donaldson said. He said cases likely would rise steadily though the summer, followed by an "explosive outbreak" in fall and winter.

Health Secretary Andy Burnham said two pharmaceutical houses were ready to produce a pandemic vaccine and contracts had been signed for 130 million doses. The first doses would be delivered by Aug. 31.