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| GPs report flu cases rose again last week | GPs report flu cases rose again last week |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| By Helen Briggs Health reporter, BBC News | By Helen Briggs Health reporter, BBC News |
| Flu cases have risen again in England and Wales, according to figures from GPs. | Flu cases have risen again in England and Wales, according to figures from GPs. |
| Levels of flu - including H1N1 swine flu - have gone up by almost 50% in the past week, says the Royal College of GPs. | Levels of flu - including H1N1 swine flu - have gone up by almost 50% in the past week, says the Royal College of GPs. |
| The flu tally reached 124 per 100,000 people in the week to Christmas, up from 86 cases in the previous week. | The flu tally reached 124 per 100,000 people in the week to Christmas, up from 86 cases in the previous week. |
| Health officials in England define an epidemic as 200 cases per 100,000. | Health officials in England define an epidemic as 200 cases per 100,000. |
| Wednesday's figures come amid political debate over the decision not to give all young children a flu jab this winter. | Wednesday's figures come amid political debate over the decision not to give all young children a flu jab this winter. |
| Labour has criticised the lack of protection for healthy under-fives, but the government says they were excluded on medical and not cost grounds. | Labour has criticised the lack of protection for healthy under-fives, but the government says they were excluded on medical and not cost grounds. |
| The latest figures show the highest rates are in children aged under five - at 184 cases per 100,000. | The latest figures show the highest rates are in children aged under five - at 184 cases per 100,000. |
| Professor Steve Field, a former chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said there was no indication in the current expert advice that across-the-board vaccination of young children is necessary. | Professor Steve Field, a former chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said there was no indication in the current expert advice that across-the-board vaccination of young children is necessary. |
| He told the BBC: "Looking at the evidence - looking at where we are in this early epidemic, there doesn't seem to be any indication. | He told the BBC: "Looking at the evidence - looking at where we are in this early epidemic, there doesn't seem to be any indication. |
| "But we do need to do better in those children who have asthma, who've got heart disease or other diseases and particularly pregnant women. | "But we do need to do better in those children who have asthma, who've got heart disease or other diseases and particularly pregnant women. |
| "I'm worried about the number of sick pregnant women who haven't been vaccinated. And we can prevent this illness by vaccination, which is safe." | "I'm worried about the number of sick pregnant women who haven't been vaccinated. And we can prevent this illness by vaccination, which is safe." |
| The latest figures give an indication of the extent of this winter's flu outbreak, based on people visiting GP surgeries in England and Wales with flu-like symptoms. | The latest figures give an indication of the extent of this winter's flu outbreak, based on people visiting GP surgeries in England and Wales with flu-like symptoms. |
| Flu cases have risen steadily in England and Wales from 32.8 per 100,000 in week 49, to 85.8 in week 50, to 124.4 in week 51. | Flu cases have risen steadily in England and Wales from 32.8 per 100,000 in week 49, to 85.8 in week 50, to 124.4 in week 51. |
| The latest figures for Scotland, released on 23 December, show a rate of GP consultations for flu of 45.8 per 100,000. | The latest figures for Scotland, released on 23 December, show a rate of GP consultations for flu of 45.8 per 100,000. |
| In Northern Ireland, the latest figures available - for week 50 - show an increase from 28.1 to 64.6 per 100,000. | |
| New figures for flu cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland will be released on Thursday. | |
| A Department of Health spokesperson said the figures for England and Wales were "in keeping with what we would expect during a winter flu season". | A Department of Health spokesperson said the figures for England and Wales were "in keeping with what we would expect during a winter flu season". |
| The spokesperson added: "But everyone can do their bit to help keep well - simple measures like washing your hands help stop flu spreading. | The spokesperson added: "But everyone can do their bit to help keep well - simple measures like washing your hands 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 conditions, as well as those aged 65 and over." | "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 conditions, as well as those aged 65 and over." |
| The vaccine protects against H1N1, the same strain of flu behind last year's swine flu pandemic, and also protects against the H3N2 and B strains. | The vaccine protects against H1N1, the same strain of flu behind last year's swine flu pandemic, and also protects against the H3N2 and B strains. |
| Meanwhile, managers at a hospital on Merseyside have suspended visiting until further notice to minimise the chances of visitors passing on colds and flu. | Meanwhile, managers at a hospital on Merseyside have suspended visiting until further notice to minimise the chances of visitors passing on colds and flu. |
| Restrictions apply to relatives of patients at Arrowe Park Hospital in Birkenhead, Wirral. | Restrictions apply to relatives of patients at Arrowe Park Hospital in Birkenhead, Wirral. |
| French 'epidemic' | French 'epidemic' |
| A flu outbreak has also been reported in France. | A flu outbreak has also been reported in France. |
| French health experts said on Wednesday the country was officially in the grip of a flu epidemic, with 176,000 people sick, two of whom have died. | French health experts said on Wednesday the country was officially in the grip of a flu epidemic, with 176,000 people sick, two of whom have died. |
| In the UK, 27 people have died from flu this season, of which nine were children. Among the fatalities, 24 had swine flu. Three suffered from another strain, flu type B. | In the UK, 27 people have died from flu this season, of which nine were children. Among the fatalities, 24 had swine flu. Three suffered from another strain, flu type B. |
| According to the World Health Organisation, flu epidemics result globally in about three to five million cases of severe illness per year and 250,000-500,000 deaths. | According to the World Health Organisation, flu epidemics result globally in about three to five million cases of severe illness per year and 250,000-500,000 deaths. |
| Have you or any of your family been affected by severe flu this winter? Have you requested a flu vaccine? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Have you or any of your family been affected by severe flu this winter? Have you requested a flu vaccine? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |