This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-12061484
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| GPs report flu cases have doubled in one week | GPs report flu cases have doubled in one week |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| By Helen Briggs Health reporter, BBC News | By Helen Briggs Health reporter, BBC News |
| Flu cases have more than doubled in the past week in England and Wales, according to new figures. | Flu cases have more than doubled in the past week in England and Wales, according to new figures. |
| The biggest increase is in school age children, data from GP surgeries shows. | The biggest increase is in school age children, data from GP surgeries shows. |
| Several flu strains are known to be circulating widely, including H1N1 "swine flu" and influenza B. | Several flu strains are known to be circulating widely, including H1N1 "swine flu" and influenza B. |
| Experts are urging those in high-risk groups, particularly pregnant women, to get vaccinated. The vaccine protects against both seasonal flu and swine flu. | Experts are urging those in high-risk groups, particularly pregnant women, to get vaccinated. The vaccine protects against both seasonal flu and swine flu. |
| The figures come from The Royal College of GPs, which tracks cases of flu-like illnesses at about 70 surgeries in England and Wales. | The figures come from The Royal College of GPs, which tracks cases of flu-like illnesses at about 70 surgeries in England and Wales. |
| Cases have risen to 87.1 per 100,000 people, from 32.8 in the previous week. | Cases have risen to 87.1 per 100,000 people, from 32.8 in the previous week. |
| This falls far short of the number of people catching flu at the height of last summer's swine flu outbreak. | This falls far short of the number of people catching flu at the height of last summer's swine flu outbreak. |
| But it is higher than seasonal flu outbreaks of the past few years. | But it is higher than seasonal flu outbreaks of the past few years. |
| "There's a fair bit of flu around but we're not overwhelmed by it," Dr Maureen Baker, Health Protection Lead at the Royal College of GPs, told the BBC. | "There's a fair bit of flu around but we're not overwhelmed by it," Dr Maureen Baker, Health Protection Lead at the Royal College of GPs, told the BBC. |
| Rates of flu are highest in children aged between 5 and 14, followed by children under four, then those aged between 15 and 44. | Rates of flu are highest in children aged between 5 and 14, followed by children under four, then those aged between 15 and 44. |
| Cases have also increased in adults aged between 45 and 64, says the weekly bulletin from the Royal College of GPs. | Cases have also increased in adults aged between 45 and 64, says the weekly bulletin from the Royal College of GPs. |
| The Central region (including Wales) has the most cases, followed closely by the South, with fewer cases in the North. | The Central region (including Wales) has the most cases, followed closely by the South, with fewer cases in the North. |
| It is not clear how many of these patients have H1N1 flu, influenza B and other strains. | It is not clear how many of these patients have H1N1 flu, influenza B and other strains. |
| Hospital cases | |
| On Tuesday, it was revealed there had been a rise in the numbers of people admitted to intensive care with flu. | |
| Government figures show that 302 beds are now occupied by flu patients. | Government figures show that 302 beds are now occupied by flu patients. |
| Professor Peter Openshaw of the National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, said there was no evidence the virus had changed. | |
| "From around the country, reports from frontline staff are showing unprecedented levels of hospitalisation with severe flu in high-risk adults. | |
| "All the evidence we have so far is that the virus has not changed. | |
| "It is affecting the same type of person as last year and still behaves like swine flu rather than normal seasonal flu (which mostly affects the over 65s)." | |
| A Department of Health spokesperson said the NHS was responding well to winter pressures and providing weekly updates on numbers affected by swine flu. | A Department of Health spokesperson said the NHS was responding well to winter pressures and providing weekly updates on numbers affected by swine flu. |
| "Everyone can do their bit to help keep well - simple measures like washing your hand helps stop flu spreading. | "Everyone can do their bit to help keep well - simple measures like washing your hand helps stop flu spreading. |
| "The Chief Medical Officer has issued clear advice that vulnerable groups such as those over 65, pregnant women, and people who are more at risk of complications should get the seasonal flu vaccination." | "The Chief Medical Officer has issued clear advice that vulnerable groups such as those over 65, pregnant women, and people who are more at risk of complications should get the seasonal flu vaccination." |
| New figures on the number of deaths from seasonal flu and swine flu will be released by the Health Protection Agency on Thursday. | New figures on the number of deaths from seasonal flu and swine flu will be released by the Health Protection Agency on Thursday. |
| Updated figures on levels of seasonal flu circulating in Scotland are also due to be released that day. | Updated figures on levels of seasonal flu circulating in Scotland are also due to be released that day. |