Flu cases to hit 9-year high
Wednesday 24th December 2008
The number of people developing flu is likely to hit a nine-year high this winter, according to the Royal College of GPs (RCGP).
Its figures show that in the last week alone there has been a 75 per cent increase in cases, with the illness affecting both young and old patients.
In news that may interest those seeking pharmacist jobs, NHS care trusts are advising people suffering minor flu symptoms to visit their local pharmacy over the festive period.
On December 14th, there were 39.5 GP consultations per 100,000 of the population. By December 23rd this figure had risen to 69 per 100,000. This is a 73 per cent increase on the same week last year.
The RCGP said that if this trend continues, Britain could be experiencing a flu outbreak similar to that seen in the winter of 1999-2000.
Professor John Oxford, an expert in virology at Queen Mary's School of Medicine, said: "Anyone in an at-risk group should get themselves vaccinated."
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