‘Superflu’ warnings as new Okay pressure ‘hits folks tougher’ – all you might want to know

A new strain of flu has ‘risen unusually early’ with ‘increases first seen in teenagers and young adults, followed by younger children,’ health experts have said

All you need to know about the so-called ‘superflu’ as NHS overwhelmed with cases

• Health leaders have warned that an “unprecedented wave of super flu” has left the NHS facing “a worst-case scenario for this time of year” – but what is so-called super flu?
• It is not an official name for a virus, but the so-called super flu refers to the illness that seems to be hitting harder and lasting for longer than expected.
• This year’s flu season also started a month earlier, while a drifted influenza A(H3N2) strain – also known as subclade K – is currently dominating cases in England, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
• Last month, UKHSA said the new strain was driving the early surge in cases. The agency said activity has “risen unusually early” with “increases first seen in teenagers and young adults, followed by younger children”.
• Flu circulation among children normally precedes that in adults.
• Flu can come on very quickly with symptoms such as a sudden fever, tiredness, aches and pains, a dry cough, sore throat, headache, trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, feeling sick and diarrhoea.
• The latest NHS figures show the number of people in hospital in England with flu has jumped by 55% in a week and remains at a record level for this time of year.
• There were an average of 2,660 flu patients in hospital each day last week, up from 1,717 the previous week. At this point last year the number stood at 1,861 patients, while in 2023 it was just 402.
• As flu spreads easily and can live on surfaces for 24 hours, frequent hand washing and coughing or sneezing into tissues which are immediately thrown in the bin can help. Health leaders have also urged eligible people to come forward and get their flu jab.
• Data from UKHSA shows this year’s vaccine is providing good protection against the subclade K strain.
• Flu jabs are available to anyone aged 65 and over, or those under 65 deemed at clinical risk.
• The health service stresses that people should call NHS 111 or seen an urgent GP appointment if they are over 65, pregnant, worried about their child’s symptoms, have long-term medical conditions, have a weakened immune system or if symptoms do not improve after seven days.