NHS swamped by flu crisis as admissions TRIPLE in a week – and killer Aussie strain spreads
SWAMPED hospitals are in the grips of a deadly flu crisis with admissions tripling in a week.
The NHS has been flooded with patients suffering from “Aussie flu” — a potent strain that caused havoc in Oz and New Zealand.
Official figures reveal one in four hospital influenza cases are now due to the lethal H3N2 bug - with Plymouth, Doncaster and Durham among the places worst affected.
OAPs, pregnant women and young kids are most vulnerable to the mutant infection.
Rates of flu hospitalisations have risen from 2.33 cases per 100,000 people to 6.82 in the past week, according to Public Health England.
It suggests the number of sick Brits admitted with the bug has gone up from 1,281 to 3,751 in seven days.
Across England, 4.5 million people complained of suffering “influenza-like” symptoms.
It is a rise of 15 per cent from 3.85 million the previous week.
More than 20 NHS trusts have been forced to declare “black alerts” this week after being overwhelmed by demand.
Health officials last night warned it is still not too late for Brits to get vaccinated against the virus.
FLU JAB MIGHT BE POINTLESS
HEALTH chiefs admitted yesterday that people who have the flu jab may still end up catching the virus - but added it was still worth having.
Public Health England wrote to GPs to say the vaccine didn't work against the most common strain of flu doing the rounds this winter.
Traditional vaccines protect against three strains of the virus.
They are cheaper and more commonly used by NHS surgeries - but were not effectived against 21 of the 25 influenza B strain case studies.
Last year's jab was 66 per cent effective in children and 41 per cent effective in adults under 65, but offered next to no protection to OAPs.
A health official admitted this year's jab might not cover one of the strains, but said: "Getting it is better than no protection at all."
It is free to all over 65s, pregnant women, young children, and those with long-term conditions.
Last week, 24 people died from flu – half the total of 48 killed so far this winter.
Meanwhile, "Aussie flu" has already claimed it's first victim in Ireland, and 17 patients remain in intensive care battling the vicious strain.
Professor Paul Cosford, Medical Director at Public Health England, said: “As we would expect at this time of year, flu levels have increased this week.
These figures confirm what trusts have been telling us about the increasing pressure they are experiencing as a result of flu
Saffron Cordery
“Our data shows that more people are visiting GPs with flu symptoms and we are seeing more people admitted to hospitals with the flu.”
Officials said over-65s were most likely to end up in hospital with the virus.
Symptoms include a sudden fever, aches, tiredness, a dry cough, sore throat and headaches.
Uptake of the flu jab is slightly higher than last year, with seven in ten pensioners vaccinated.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS YOU COULD HAVE 'AUSSIE FLU'?
Symptoms of Aussie flu are similar to those caused by normal flu, but they are more severe.
Here are some signs to look out for:
- Sore throat and cough
- Headache
- Fever
- Muscle ache
- Fatigue
- Runny nose and sneezing
People should recover from normal flu within a week so, although the cough and fatigue may last longer.
So if you’re still really ill after seven days, it’s a good indication of something more serious.
Aussie flu can lead to pneumonia and other potentially fatal complications.
Those most at risk are the over 65s, pregnant women, young kids and those with chronic conditions – like diabetes, lung and heart disease.
But doubts have been raised about its effectiveness.
Saffron Cordery, from NHS Providers, said: “These figures confirm what trusts have been telling us about the increasing pressure they are experiencing as a result of flu.
“The growing impact of flu comes as services are already at or beyond full stretch.”
FLUED UP What is Aussie flu, what are the symptoms and how is it different to the normal virus? All you need to know...
GPs across the country warned stretched practices were being overwhelmed.
Dr Kieran Sharrock, medical director of Lincolnshire Local Medical Committee, told Pulse magazine [must keep] surgeries in his area were struggling after being “flooded with winter related illnesses”.
And Dr Eamonn Jessup, from North Wales LMC, said local hospitals were “creaking at the seams” due to a flu spike.
Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, head of the Royal College of GPs, confirmed rising numbers of patients were complaining of flu.
She said: “We are hearing anecdotal reports of increased demand at surgeries this week.
MORE ON THE FLU CRISIS
“Although we are reaching peak flu season, we want to reassure patients that the influenza vaccine remains the best protection against flu this winter period.
“It is not too late for patients to receive their vaccination.”
France is in the grips of a flu epidemic with 350,000 new cases diagnosed in the last week alone.