Top UK Doctor Warns Country Is Set For ‘The Worst Year Ever’ For Flu

The UK is facing its worst year ever for flu amid spiralling infections, according to the country’s top doctor.

Programmes that monitor the nation’s outbreak suggest that flu hospital admissions in England have already surpassed last year’s peak and are running at their highest level so far this winter. 

But the National Health Services (NHS) national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis has warned that the worst of Britain’s tidal wave is still ‘yet to come’. 

MSN reports:A ‘quad-demic’ of four winter illnesses — flu, Covid, norovirus and cold-like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — is also continuing to pile pressure on a stretched health service, he added.   

Experts fear the surge in infections will continue to pick up pace in the coming days as a result of more people socialising indoors over the Christmas and the New Year period. 

They have urged people with coughs, sore throats or a runny nose to limit contact with vulnerable groups — such as the elderly, pregnant women and those with underlying conditions — over fears they could become seriously unwell with the virus. 

Sir Stephen said: ‘The winter flu season has not only hit the NHS early this year, but it is potentially on track to be one of the worst we have ever seen, as the “quad-demic” continues to increase pressure across services.

‘Frontline NHS staff are currently under significant pressure — and as families and friends have gathered over the festive period and to celebrate the new year, we expect the peak of seasonal viruses is yet to come.

‘Firstly, I’d like to thank NHS staff — despite huge demand, they continue to work tirelessly to keep patients safe and provide them with the best possible care.

‘And secondly I would like to remind the public that community services like GPs and pharmacies are open as usual for help and advice today and on Thursday and Friday.

‘Anyone who needs medical support should continue to use services as normal — 999 and A&E only in an emergency, and for other urgent health needs, use NHS 111 or 111 online.’

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which collects data for England, has paused its updates over Christmas, meaning the impact of festive gatherings will not be clear until early in the new year.

According to the latest weekly NHS figures, RSV — which is most common in infants and young children — was 25 per cent higher in the week ending December 17, than the previous year. 

Rates of the winter vomiting bug norovirus, meanwhile, are also almost 25 per cent higher than expected for this time of year.

Some hospitals have begun to limit visiting hours and have imposed mask mandates over fears of rising ‘quad-demic’ cases.

NHS trusts in Cambridge, Essex and Bedfordshire introduced new restrictions on Monday to limit the risk of infection to patients, staff and the public.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and the Welsh Ambulance Service have also declared critical incidents due to the huge increase in demand for care.