Cases of winter flu rising with school-aged children being worst affected

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, England’s health boss, has said that cases of winter flu are ‘rising rapidly’, and has urged eligible people to get vaccinated.

Cases are high among children aged five to 14, with 16.9% of tests positive for flu, up from 11.5% last week.

“Influenza is now rising rapidly,” said Professor Whitty. “Antiviral ‘flu medicines can now be used in primary care.

“If you are eligible please get vaccinated.”

The number of cases is similar to the 2022/23 season, which peaked on 20th December with 33% of tests positive.

Last year’s peak was smaller, with 16.7% of tests positive, and it reached its height on 27th January.

Although flu rates are rising this year, data suggests they remain at low levels.

COVID-19, flu, RSV and norovirus are all circulating in the UK and are expected to peak at different times over winter.