The Health Protection Agency (HPA) on Thursday confirmed the seasonal flu has killed at least 50 people so far as the disease is starting to peak in England, Wales and Scotland.Influenza A H1N1 (2009) swine flu and Influenza B remain the predominant strains circulating in the United Kingdom. However, sporadic cases of H3N2 have also been reported.
During the last week, the HPA was informed that a further eleven people died due to flu, increasing the death toll to 50 casualties since the flu season began in October. 45 of these people died with the H1N1 strain and five with Influenza B.
Most of the victims were under 65 years of age. HPA reported eight cases between 5-14 years of age, 33 cases aged between 15-64 and four cases over 64. Since October, five children under the age of five have died.
"Flu is still circulating and we would urge those people in an at-risk group to have their seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible as this is the best way to protect themselves from flu this winter," said Professor John Watson, head of the respiratory diseases department at the HPA.
Sixty-nine percent of the fatal cases (33 cases) have died while being in a clinical "at risk" group for vaccination. Only three out of 59 individuals had received this season's vaccine in the UK.
"Flu can be an extremely serious illness for people in 'at risk' groups, including pregnant women, the elderly and those with other underlying conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, lung, liver or renal diseases and those who have weakened immune systems," added Watson.
Watson further recommended to maintaining good cough and hand hygiene in order to reduce flu transmission risk and spreading of the virus. HPA publishes weekly figures on flu and flu-like illness throughout the flu season.
The recommendations included covering nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, disposing of the tissue as soon as possible and cleaning hands as soon the individual can.
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