Christmas FLU-NAMI: Experts issue urgent warning as cases rise in Britain – calling for return of social distancing to protect vulnerable
Experts have issued an urgent warning ahead of tomorrow’s festivities amid rising flu infections – calling for ‘lockdown’-style measures to protect the most vulnerable.
Speaking to MailOnline, public health specialists say people with even mild cold symptoms should consider self-isolating as they could unknowingly have the virus, which can be fatal for the elderly.
In addition to avoiding family gatherings, they have recommended wearing a mask and social distancing to avoid passing on the bug.
Professor Paul Hunter, an infectious disease expert from the University of East Anglia, said: ‘If you have flu you should stay away from other people for the first three days and preferably the first week.
‘This is especially important if they are older or suffer from medical conditions that put them at greater risk.’
Flu symptoms include fever, sore throat, muscle aches and coughing, but Prof Hunter warned that many people are simply suffering from something similar to a cold.
About a fifth of people infected with flu have no symptoms but can still pass the disease on to others, he added.
The latest data shows there is a high flu burden in the NHS, with almost 3,000 Britons in England hospitalized with the virus by the end of last week, with more than 150 in a critical condition.
Dozens of Brits have flooded social media saying they are ‘the sickest they’ve ever been’ as the flu continues to sweep through the country. Stock image
This compares with just 700 total hospital admissions at the same time last year, with roughly four times fewer seriously ill patients.
Experts also speculated that worse could happen, with some predicting a further wave of illness due to socializing over Christmas and New Year.
Pressure is mounting despite data showing that fewer than one in four frontline NHS workers have had the flu vaccine, amid fears this year’s version may be less effective than hoped.
University of Warwick virologist Professor Lawrence Young also urged people with possible flu symptoms to consider lockdown-style measures.
‘If you have flu-like symptoms it is very important to think about limiting your contact with other people, especially those who are clinically vulnerable to respiratory infections,’ he said.
He added that this is important to consider even if vulnerable people had received a flu shot because, like any vaccine, it cannot provide 100 percent protection against serious disease.
Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at the University of Reading, also said it was best for people with possible flu to limit their movements.
But he added that if this was not possible, they should wear a mask in crowded areas to reduce possible transmission.
“It’s always difficult at this time of year, but it’s the best option, both for the patient and for those around them,” he said.
It comes as dozens of Brits have flooded social media saying they are ‘the sickest they’ve ever been’ as the flu continues to sweep through the country.
A Brit, Hannahjaneodonnell, said on TikTok: “I’ve been to death’s door and back… me and the rest of Britain with whatever that weird cough thing is or whatever seasonal flu is going around.”
‘I was there for a week, just trying to survive. Solidarity with whoever got what I got and with what everyone I know got.”
Another poster, Livhellewellx from Bath, said from her bed: ‘People aren’t kidding when they say the flu situation is bad in December’
“I haven’t felt this bad in so long and it’s not going away.”
People commenting on the post agreed: ‘I’ve never felt so bad. Just as I’m starting to feel better, I keep waking up with the feeling of day 3.’
Another added: ‘I’m seven days in and can’t believe how sick I feel. I haven’t had a cold in years, but this pole has destroyed me.’
This government graph shows flu vaccine uptake among different groups of frontline healthcare workers in England this year (dark blue) and last year (light blue)
User poppyanning said of her own illness: ‘Seriously what’s in the British air at the moment.’
Some Britons have urged those with symptoms to stay at home to avoid infecting the vulnerable. Asthma sufferer Tania Hunter said: ‘I felt terrible, like someone had hit me with a ton of bricks.’
She added, “I know it’s almost Christmas and all, but if you and your family are sick, don’t go out.”
It comes as a new wave of NHS hospitals introduced mask mandates amid ‘quad-demic’ fears.
Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust is the latest to introduce such a measure in areas including its emergency department and several wards, including those where cancer patients are treated.
‘There will be face masks in these areas, feel free to ask an employee if you need them. If you believe you are exempt, please discuss this with a staff member,” the Trust wrote in its announcement.
The flu is just one winter virus putting pressure on the health care system, raising fears of what has been called a “quad-demic.”
Cases of norovirus and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are also circulating, as are Covid and influenza.
Data shows the flu shot used in the Southern Hemisphere, on which Britain’s flu shot is based, could be up to 30 percent less effective than normal
Despite ongoing fears of rising numbers of flu cases, the latest official data shows that just under one in four frontline healthcare workers in England have had the flu vaccine this year.
The government report shows that in total only 24.3 percent of staff responsible for direct patient care have been vaccinated against influenza.
Analysis of the data showed that vaccination rates this year in every staff group, including NHS hospital staff, paramedics and GPs, are lower than in the 2023 season.
The push comes amid concerns that this year’s version of the flu vaccine may also be less effective than hoped.
Experts have warned the jab could provide a third less protection than normal, based on cases in New Zealand and Australia, where the season starts earlier than ours.
The flu vaccine is adjusted every year based on data from Southern Hemisphere countries such as Australia and New Zealand, which have their winter season six months before Britain.
This is because the same types of flu that hit these countries typically cause the majority of cases in Britain.
However, sometimes this prediction is wrong. According to the Office of National Statistics, an inappropriate flu vaccine was responsible for an additional 50,000 deaths in Britain in 2017.
Data shows that the flu shot used in the Southern Hemisphere, on which the flu shot in Britain is based, could be up to 30 percent less effective than normal.
Experts believe that a successful flu shot will prevent people from needing hospital care for the virus in about seven out of ten cases.
However, data from countries such as Australia and New Zealand show that the latest jab has prevented only 4 in 10 hospital admissions.
Influenza, also known as flu, is responsible for around 40,000 hospital admissions and more than 10,000 deaths each year in Britain, although this can be higher in bad years.
Symptoms typically include fever, sore throat, muscle aches and coughing.
Experts have told this website that while it is impossible to fully predict that mixing between Christmas and New Year will only increase the spread of viruses such as flu, and will also return to offices and schools in 2025.