A strain of Swine flu has left 26 dead and more than 200 people in intensive care in the second week of the new year.
A report by Public Health England has revealed the figures, but said the levels are normal for the time of year, even though cases of flu across the UK have tripled in a week.
The number of people who visited their GP with flu-like symptoms has risen from 14.8 to 19.2 per 100,000 in the last week.
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But that is down on last year’s figures which saw 53.1 per 100,000 visits in the same period.
There were also 237 admissions to intensive care and 26 deaths as a result of the flu.
Richard Pebody, Head of Flu at PHE said: “In the last week, there have been small increases to both hospital and intensive care admission rates meaning flu is starting to have a greater impact.
“These rises are typical for this time of year.
“We are currently seeing mainly A(H1N1)pdm09 [Swine flu] circulating which is well matched to the strains in this year’s flu vaccines.
“Previous flu seasons suggest this strain particularly affects children, pregnant women, and adults with long term conditions – so if you’re eligible, it’s not too late to get your free jab to protect yourself and vulnerable people around you.”
Last week, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued a warning over a potentially killer strain of swine flu.
Dr Kevin Kelleher, the HSE’s Assistant National Director for Public Health, said the strain, known as H1N1, had been identified in up to four people who had died.
And it was likely to be discovered in more patients as winter progresses.
“There are two types when we talk about this virus – A and B – this year we have the A strain which has a particular predilection for some people under 65,” he told the Independent.
“It has a predilection for people who have a previous medical condition like asthma or respiratory disease and for pregnant women.
“What we see is people with diseases end up in ICU or on a ventilator.”
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The symptoms are often missed in the early stages of the illness, as they are similar to the common cold and flu.
Sufferers can experience coughing, a sore throat, achey joints and a runny or stuffy nose as well as coughing and diarrhoea.
In more severe cases symptoms can escalate leading to more serious conditions such as pneumonia.
Anyone suffering from these symptoms should stay in bed and seek medical advice.
It is advised they do not to visit the elderly.
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