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Flu rates falling across England for first time this year

Flu rates falling across England for first time this year

Flu rates in England are falling overall for the first time in 2018, according to figures from the Royal College of General Practitioners’ research and surveillance centre.

But they added that some parts of the country are still seeing an increase in the number of presentations to primary care.

Influenza-like illness was reported at 52.1 per 100,000 of the population for the week 22-28 January, down from 54.1 the previous week.

But London, and the Midlands and East region, both saw increases in the rates of flu across their respective populations.

Broken down by region, the presentations of influenza-like illness were:

  • London – increased slightly from 44.9 to 46.9 per 100,000 population.
  • North – decreased from 54.9 to 48.8 per 100,000 population.
  • South – decreased from 59.6 to 55.1 per 100,000 population.
  • Midlands and East – increased from 53.6 to 59.3 per 100,000 population.

Professor Simon de Lusignan, medical director for the RCGP’s research and surveillance centre, said: ‘Today’s figures show that rates of influenza-like illness presentations in general practice have flattened off, but Influenza B – the predominant strain – is still circulating, and we need to remain cautious about rates increasing again over the coming weeks.’

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Flu rates in England are falling overall for the first time in 2018, according to figures from the Royal College of General Practitioners’ research and surveillance centre.