Sixty more deaths, but flu 'may be starting to plateau'
13 January 2011
Excerpt:
The number of people in critical care beds in England has fallen from 783 last week to 661.
Professor John Watson, head of respiratory diseases at the HPA, said: "Our latest flu report suggests levels of people seeing their doctor for flu-like illness is beginning to plateau but this may be skewed by the recent holiday period.
"Flu is still circulating in the community and the message remains that those people in an at-risk group should have their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible as this is the best way to protect themselves from flu this winter."
At-risk groups who are advised to have the jab include pregnant women, the elderly and those with other underlying conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, lung, liver or renal diseases and those who have weakened immune systems.
The HPA added that it had seen a "modest" increase in bacterial infections such as pneumococcal and meningococcal disease, which might be linked to flu, and that it was advising doctors to remain vigilant for them.
Professor Watson added: "The severity of these conditions means that prompt identification and treatment are essential."
Professor John Oxford, a virologist at Barts and the Royal London, suggested the outbreak might be "past the worst".
But he told the BBC it was important for government and experts like himself to learn lessons.
"It was much bigger than we thought. We should think much more seriously about vaccinating the under-fours."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12184395
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