Why Is The Flu Causing More Problems Than Usual In UK?

Earlier it was reported that Birmingham was hit by four different viruses, with the National Health Services (NHS) issuing a warning that respiratory illness are on rise. Now, the data from UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) suggests that flu levels and hospital admissions are higher than this time last year.

As per the recent data, the overall weekly hospital admission rates for influenza went up to 14.09 per 100,000 population in the week ending 29 December, as compared with 10.69 per 100,000 population the previous week, while it was at 8.72 per 100,000 the week before.

Experts believe that it is because the flu vaccines were offered later this year as compared to last, for some of the groups. However, it is to be noted that it is not unusual to see a surge in flu cases at the end of the year, when winters are at its peak. As a similar trend was noticed in 2022.

The Flu Season

Flu is the only one component, which has been nicknamed as the "quad-demic" that is affecting the hospitals. Due to this pressure, many hospitals are also facing a shortage of beds.

The first time flu season became widespread was in the 2022-23 season since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It led to 14,500 deaths, which has been the highest figure since 2017-18 season.

Data from NHS England shows that, during the final week of December 2024, hospitals in England admitted an average of 4,469 flu patients daily. Although this is lower than the 5,441 recorded during the same period in 2022, there are no indications yet that flu cases have reached their peak.

The NHS national clinical director for urgent and emergency care Prof Julian Redhead said, "These latest figures show the pressure from flu was nowhere near letting up before we headed into the new year, skyrocketing to over 5,000 cases a day in hospital as of the end of last week and rising at a very concerning rate.”

Who is most at risk?

The flu is more serious for older people, or the very young ones, who did not have their immunity system fully developed. It can also be serious for those who already have an underlying medical condition.

The UKHSA data also shows that those aged between 5 and 14 are more likely to be tested positive for flu. The data also shows that it is the older people who end up getting treated in the hospital. Hospital admission rates for flu were highest for those aged 85 years and over, at 88.38 per 10,000. For infants up to 4 years, it was 26.1 per 100,000.

How can people protect themselves?

While vaccination is there, there are other things to keep in mind to prevent catching virus. This includes reducing close contact with others when symptoms hit. It is important to also wear a mask in hospitals and invest in an air purifier, which helps reduce the risk of airborne viruses spreading indoor.

The chief medical adviser at UKHSA, Prof Susan Hopkins said, "If you have symptoms and need to leave the house, our advice remains that you should wear a face covering. Washing hands regularly and using and disposing tissues in bins can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses."