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Winter deaths 'highest since 1999' Winter deaths 'highest since 1999'
(35 minutes later)
There were an estimated 43,900 excess deaths in England and Wales last winter, the highest number since 1999, figures show.There were an estimated 43,900 excess deaths in England and Wales last winter, the highest number since 1999, figures show.
The report suggests most of the deaths involved people over 75.The report suggests most of the deaths involved people over 75.
A major cause behind the rise was the flu virus and an influenza vaccine that was less effective than previous years, experts said. The flu virus was a major cause of the rise, along with an influenza vaccine that was less effective than those of previous years, experts said.
The figures are published by the Office of National Statistics and show there were more deaths in women than men. The figures are published by the Office for National Statistics and show there were more deaths in women than men.
'Notably high'
Commenting on the statistics, Claudia Wells, at the ONS, said: "A major cause behind the rise was the flu virus, with estimates showing that the flu vaccine was not as effective this winter compared to previous years.Commenting on the statistics, Claudia Wells, at the ONS, said: "A major cause behind the rise was the flu virus, with estimates showing that the flu vaccine was not as effective this winter compared to previous years.
"While the cold temperature is a factor, most of last winter was warmer than average.""While the cold temperature is a factor, most of last winter was warmer than average."
Respiratory illnesses such as influenza and pneumonia were the underlying causes of death in more than a third of all winter deaths last year. Respiratory illnesses such as influenza and pneumonia were the underlying causes of death in more than a third of all winter cases.
Experts say the strain of flu circulating last year had a greater impact on older people, resulting in a number of care home outbreaks and admissions to intensive care.
Meanwhile public health experts estimate that last year's flu vaccine was effective in just 34% of people.
Large fluctuations in winter death rates are not uncommon and there were lower than average figures in 2013-14.Large fluctuations in winter death rates are not uncommon and there were lower than average figures in 2013-14.
But despite this experts warn this years figures are "notably high".But despite this experts warn this years figures are "notably high".
The ONS defines excess winter deaths as the number of people whose deaths were registered between December and March, compared with the numbers for the previous three months and the following three months.The ONS defines excess winter deaths as the number of people whose deaths were registered between December and March, compared with the numbers for the previous three months and the following three months.
For the winter, the death rate was 27% higher.For the winter, the death rate was 27% higher.
Figures published last month by the National Records of Scotland show that between December 2014 and March 2015 there were 22,011 registered deaths.
This is an increase in winter mortality of 3336 when compared to 2013-14, which had the lowest number of winter deaths since records began more than 60 years ago.