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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Flu outbreak 'may have hit peak' | Flu outbreak 'may have hit peak' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The outbreak of flu cases looks like it has peaked, experts say. | The outbreak of flu cases looks like it has peaked, experts say. |
| While the number of cases has risen by 25% in England and Wales in the past week, doctors said that was expected as surgeries re-opened after Christmas. | While the number of cases has risen by 25% in England and Wales in the past week, doctors said that was expected as surgeries re-opened after Christmas. |
| The figure for last week was lower than the week before Christmas and the Royal College of GPs said it expected rates to fall in the coming weeks. | The figure for last week was lower than the week before Christmas and the Royal College of GPs said it expected rates to fall in the coming weeks. |
| The recent figures have been high compared to previous years, but are still well short of an epidemic. | The recent figures have been high compared to previous years, but are still well short of an epidemic. |
| The figures for last week showed there were 51 GP consultations for flu-like illness per 100,000 of the population - up from 41 per 100,000 during the week of Christmas. | The figures for last week showed there were 51 GP consultations for flu-like illness per 100,000 of the population - up from 41 per 100,000 during the week of Christmas. |
| But in the week before that it nearly hit 70, according to the Royal College of GPs, raising fears of a serious outbreak, with intense pressure on health services. | But in the week before that it nearly hit 70, according to the Royal College of GPs, raising fears of a serious outbreak, with intense pressure on health services. |
| Prof Steve Field: "We don't expect it to get any worse" | |
| Vaccine | Vaccine |
| Experts have urged anyone over the age of 65 or with a chronic condition to make sure they get a flu vaccine. | Experts have urged anyone over the age of 65 or with a chronic condition to make sure they get a flu vaccine. |
| Flu has been rising in recent weeks, prompting GPs to prescribe antiviral drugs in high-risk patients who fall ill. | Flu has been rising in recent weeks, prompting GPs to prescribe antiviral drugs in high-risk patients who fall ill. |
| But an epidemic is classed as 200 new cases a week per 100,000. | But an epidemic is classed as 200 new cases a week per 100,000. |
| It is highly probable that the influenza cases we have been seeing are now peaking Dr Douglas Fleming, of the Royal College of GPs | It is highly probable that the influenza cases we have been seeing are now peaking Dr Douglas Fleming, of the Royal College of GPs |
| Experts believe the unusually cold weather may have contributed to the surge in flu cases. | Experts believe the unusually cold weather may have contributed to the surge in flu cases. |
| In the past 10 years, the only substantial outbreak was in 1999-2000 and the last official epidemic of flu was in 1989-90 when there were 580 new cases per 100,000. | In the past 10 years, the only substantial outbreak was in 1999-2000 and the last official epidemic of flu was in 1989-90 when there were 580 new cases per 100,000. |
| But in recent years the number of new cases has struggled to climb above 50. | But in recent years the number of new cases has struggled to climb above 50. |
| Dr Douglas Fleming, of the Royal College of GPs, said: "It is highly probable that the influenza cases we have been seeing are now peaking. | Dr Douglas Fleming, of the Royal College of GPs, said: "It is highly probable that the influenza cases we have been seeing are now peaking. |
| "I would expect the numbers to come down in the coming weeks and it shows the vaccination programme is working." | "I would expect the numbers to come down in the coming weeks and it shows the vaccination programme is working." |
| Respiratory disease | Respiratory disease |
| The latest figures also show that cases of respiratory disease rose from 478.8 per 100,000 at Christmas to 637.1 last week. | The latest figures also show that cases of respiratory disease rose from 478.8 per 100,000 at Christmas to 637.1 last week. |
| Cases of acute bronchitis cases also rose from 133.7 at Christmas to 202.3 in the first week of January. | Cases of acute bronchitis cases also rose from 133.7 at Christmas to 202.3 in the first week of January. |
| Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said the rise in bronchitis cases could put a strain on hospitals. | Professor Steve Field, chairman of the Royal College of GPs, said the rise in bronchitis cases could put a strain on hospitals. |
| He said: "Some bronchitis ends up as pneumonia and can come after flu or be caused by other infections. | He said: "Some bronchitis ends up as pneumonia and can come after flu or be caused by other infections. |
| "Most cold and flu-like symptoms can be managed by looking after yourself but in some cases bronchitis will require hospitalisation." | "Most cold and flu-like symptoms can be managed by looking after yourself but in some cases bronchitis will require hospitalisation." |