HPA warns of possible flu outbreak
A flu epidemic could hit Britain this winter, after three ‘unusually quite years’, according to the Health Protection Agency.
Five children have already died from flu, with at least two of the cases being accredited to a particularly severe Fujian-like strain of the virus that has not been seen in the UK in recent years.
The Fujian strain recently caused a massive flu outbreak in Australia and New Zealand.
The HPA claims that it is too early predict the how public health will be affected this winter. And although the agency notes that children die every year from such infections, there are concerns about the relatively high incidence at this stage in the year.
Dr. John Watson, a respiratory expert at the HPA said: “For the last three years, we have seen very low levels of flu in the UK but flu activity has started earlier than normal this year so we are expecting to see more cases.’
The HPA is urging anyone over the age of 65 and those in at-risk groups such as asthmatics and patients with chronic heart disease to have the flu jab. It contains the Panama-like strain of the flu virus, but is thought to offer protection against other strains including the one now circulating in the UK.
Dr. Watson added that children were particularly vulnerable: “When flu strains change over time, they are more likely to affect the young who will have less immunity to them. For this reason it is especially important for children over six months of age, who fall into the at-risk groups, to be vaccinated.”
According to the HPA during the winter months three children die every week in the UK from respiratory illnesses.
