UK flu levels hit four-year high in early season warning

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 16:07 · Archive

Flu virus activity in the UK has reached levels higher than the same period in the past four years, the UK Health Security Agency has reported. The surveillance report for the week of 28 September to 4 October showed flu swab positivity increased from 5.0 per cent to 6.5 per cent. Hospital admissions for the virus reached 1.97 per 100,000 people, with increases primarily driven by young adults. Trends have risen steadily since August, although the virus is currently circulating at baseline levels.

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist at the UKHSA, warned of the possibility of an early flu season and urged people to come forward for vaccination. The current vaccine protects against influenza A subtypes H1N1 and H3N2 as well as influenza B. A World Health Organization report has flagged a drifted A(H1N1) flu strain detected at low levels in Europe and Britain, though Dr Bernal said vaccines typically remain effective at preventing severe flu even when drifted strains emerge.

Last winter's vaccination programme in England prevented an estimated 100,000 hospital admissions and 7,000 deaths. Test positivity for Covid-19 also rose during the same week, from 7.9 per cent to 9.1 per cent.

UK flu levels hit four-year high in early season warning — Image: Malvern Gazette

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How it is being reported

Early flu season warning as UK virus levels hit four-year highThe UK Health Security Agency has warned of a potentially early flu season as virus levels rise higher than during the same period in the past four years.Malvern Gazette · 9 Oct, 15:19
Early flu season warning as UK virus levels hit four-year highThe UK Health Security Agency has warned of a potentially early flu season as virus levels rise higher than during the same period in the past four years.Worcester News · 9 Oct, 15:19

In this story: UK Health Security Agency · World Health Organization · England · Europe · Britain

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