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| GPs report flu cases have doubled in one week | GPs report flu cases have doubled in one week |
| (about 2 hours 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 | Hospital cases |
| On Tuesday, it was revealed there had been a rise in the numbers of people admitted to intensive care with flu. | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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)." | "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 figures were "in keeping with what we would expect during a winter flu season". | |
| "But everyone can do their bit to help keep well - simple measures like washing your hand help stop flu spreading. | |
| "The Chief Medical Officer has issued clear advice to get the seasonal flu jab If you are in a vulnerable group, particularly pregnant women and people with underlying health condition, as well as those aged 65 and over." | |
| The latest information 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. |