Parents of kids returning to school in the UK after Christmas holidays have been warned of a surge in flu cases. Professor John Oxford, a leading virologist at St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London Hospital explained that children returning to school in the past prompted a rise in the number of flu cases.
“You tend to get a surge,” the professor said. “I would anticipate a surge, but how long that will last is difficult to say.” He added, “This virus is not going to go away next week. Even if it’s already peaked, it’s still going to be around for the next couple of weeks and it’s still worthwhile being vaccinated at this stage.”
Until now at least 39 people are believed to have died since the season began in October, the majority from the H1N1 swine flu strain of the infection against which younger people and children have less resistance.
Experts believe that the swine flu outbreak is still to reach its peak this season. Schools with many children together provide an easy way for the virus to spread. During the early stages of the pandemic last year, many schools were closed for short periods. Oxford said parents should keep children at home if they showed signs of flu.
Dr Douglas Fleming, director of the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Research & Surveillance Centre added, “This is a H1 virus and we know that spreads rapidly amongst children…I personally don’t feel that we have quite reached the peak.” Government advisers from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization are continuing to urge the vulnerable to be vaccinated against the virus.
The Health Protection Agency said that although many people reported relatively mild symptoms during the pandemic, flu could be an extremely serious illness for people in “at risk” groups like children, elderly and the pregnant.
By Dr Ananya Mandal