The UK is witnessing an earlier flu season than normal, following reports that parts of the United States is also seeing an early start to the season.
The NHS said it just witnessed its “busiest September ever” for patients attending A&E (2.44 million visits).
Professor Frankie Swords, NHS England’s national medical director, has warned that staff are seeing “ominous” signs of winter pressure already building and said more patients are heading to A&E with flu and other respiratory viruses than usual for this time of year.
Flu typically circulates later in the year, peaking in December, but data shows it’s been doing the rounds in the UK since mid-August.
According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), flu activity throughout September was higher than in the same period across the past four years.
Levels currently remain “low”, but experts are warning people who are eligible for the free flu vaccine to take up the offer sooner rather than later.
Antonia Ho, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Glasgow’s Centre for V...
English (US)