Flu Update - 10th February 2011
- Latest figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) indicate that flu activity has declined across the UK and is now below baseline levels in England, Wales and Scotland.
- In the past week, the number of number of GP consultations in England has fallen to 24.1 per 100,000, down from 40.7 per 100,000 the previous week. The baseline level is 30 per 100,000 and the peak level was 124.4 per 100,000 in the flu report dated 30 December.
- The predominant strain in circulation is now influenza B which has overtaken influenza A H1N1 2009 'swine flu'. The numbers of flu B cases, however, are also declining. There are very few sporadic cases of influenza A H3N2. This drop in activity is consistent across all the surveillance systems that are used to look at levels of flu.
- Whilst the rates of influenza like illnesses and actual diagnoses of flu are now declining, the seasonal flu campaign continues.
- GPs are funded to the end of March 2011 to vaccinate those in the previously defined at risk groups.
- The preference is still for the "Seasonal Flu vaccines" to be used rather than those exclusively for H1N1, depending on local supply availability.
- Flu still remains a potentially serious illness for those in the at risk groups. We should still direct or facilitate students or staff in the at risk groups to get vaccinated for this flu season.
- This is the time that we should begin to plan for the flu season of winter 2011/12.
- Intention to update information on Occ. Health website for staff/students to confirm current position.
J.T. Craggs
10/2/11
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