Hospitals have declared critical incidents and schools have been forced to bring back Covid-style “firebreak lockdowns” as a wave of mutant ‘super flu’ is spreading through the UK
A wave of mutant ‘super flu’ is spreading through the UK with hospitals up and down the country declaring ‘critical incidents’.
Schools have been forced to bring back Covid-style firebreak lockdowns shutting their doors as hundreds fall sick, as the flu bug hits along with RSV and norovirus in what could be the worst outbreak in a decade, say experts.
The measures have been introduced as a mutant flu strain – known as H3N2 – is driving rocketing illness rates and filling hospital beds.
The H3N2 subtype is one of three main viruses that cause seasonal flu. Experts warn this strain has mutated in a way that makes it both more severe and more contagious – and that it no longer closely resembles the version used in this year’s flu jab.
However, data shows the vaccine continues to offer protection against the virus – and health bosses have urged those eligible to get the flu jab ahead of what is expected to be an unprecedented flu wave this winter.
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA: “With flu and RSV cases sharply increasing in the past week and Christmas just 3 weeks away, now is your last chance if eligible to help get protected before Christmas.
“We expect to see these viruses circulating more widely in the lead up to Christmas and more people getting sick – threatening a potential peak over the festive period and into the New Year.
“Nobody wants anyone in their family, especially young children, to spend Christmas in hospital. The best defence against this is a vaccine, but time is running out as it can take up to 2 weeks from vaccination for your body to build maximum protection. So don’t delay any longer, if anyone in your family is eligible, book that appointment today or take your child to the local community clinic.”
The UKHSA says flu is currently circulating at medium levels and rising sharply, with positivity in lab tests jumping to 17.1 per cent last week from 11.6 per cent the week before. Hospital admissions from flu also surged to 7.79 per 100,000, up from 4.78 the previous week.
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