Latest figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) indicate that flu activity continues to decline below the baseline level across the UK.

In the past week, the number of GP consultations in England has fallen to 23.6 per 100,000, down from 24.1 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.

The total number of people who are reported to have died from flu in the UK since the season began in October has reached 439. The vast majority of the new deaths reported today (44) did not occur in the past week but will have occurred over the past few weeks. As a result of the verification process they have only been confirmed this week.

Of the 393 cases with information on age, 13 were aged less than five years; 16 were aged between 5-14; 283 aged between 15-64 and 81 were older than 64 years.

Where information is available on the fatal cases, 240 out of 338 (71 per cent) were in a clinical 'at risk' group for vaccination. Where information on vaccine status was available for this season's trivalent vaccine, 99 out of 138 (72 per cent) had not received their jab this season.

Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA, said: "Our latest flu report shows that levels of flu activity continue to fall below baseline levels in the UK.

"However our surveillance will continue and we will still be monitoring the levels of consultations for flu-like illness and testing viruses until the end of the season in May.

"Although the peak of flu activity has passed, there will still be some flu viruses circulating and it is important that people remember to practice good cough and hand hygiene such as covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, and then disposing of these as soon as possible to stop it spreading in the community."

Although the HPA will continue to produce a Weekly Flu report which will be available on the HPA website each Thursday now that we have returned to baselines levels of flu activity this will be the last media statement during this flu season unless there is any sudden resurgence. Any media enquiries regarding flu can continue to be made to the HPA national press office.

Notes

1. Throughout the flu season the HPA published weekly figures on flu and flulike illness on a Thursday afternoon via its weekly flu report. To view the latest report, visit the HPA website. The flu report can be found in the 'What's new' section at the bottom of the seasonal influenza page.

2. The Department of Health now publishes its Winterwatch report which reports on how well the NHS is coping with winter pressures and has practical advice. This can be found at the following link: http://winterwatch.dh.gov.uk/

3. The flu H1N1 (2009) virus, formerly known as 'swine flu', is now one of the group of seasonal flu viruses circulating around the world. Following a pandemic, it is often the case that the pandemic strain becomes the most common seasonal strain of influenza the next flu season, so it is not surprising to see H1N1 (2009) circulating this winter.

4. This year's seasonal flu vaccine includes a H1N1 (2009) component so that people who are vulnerable are protected against all the circulating strains. For the first time the seasonal vaccine is being offered to pregnant women as they were disproportionally affected by the H1N1 (2009) strain during the pandemic and are more at risk of serious complications.

5. The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for those aged 65 or over and those with the following conditions, regardless of age: chronic respiratory disease, heart disease, renal disease and chronic liver disease, diabetes requiring insulin or oral hypoglycaemic drugs, immunosuppression. Vaccination is also recommended for pregnant women, those living in longstay residential care homes, health care workers and carers.

6. Symptoms of seasonal flu include sudden onset of fever, cough as well as sore throat, aching muscles and joints. The Department of Health has recently confirmed guidance on the use of antiviral drugs for the management of people who are displaying flu symptoms, this includes previously healthy people as well as those in 'at risk' groups.

7. Antivirals are drugs given to high risk patients who become ill with seasonal influenza. They are most effective if taken within 48 hours of onset and may help limit the impact of some symptoms and reduce the potential for serious complications. They are also used in some situations where it is important to help prevent people from getting influenza.

Source:
Health Protection Agency