Flu cases in Wales reach their highest rate in a decade

FLU rates across Wales are at their highest levels in a decade, new figures show.

Public Health Wales has confirmed that for the week ending January 22 GP consultation rates for flu reached 74.7 per 100,000 population.

That was up on 62.1 consultations per 100,000 the previous week and 37.7 on the week prior to that.

During the last week of December and first week of January, 402 people in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area were tested for flu, as a result of presenting themselves at their GP or hos- pital with flu like symptoms in the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area.

The public health body confirmed there have been 37 outbreaks of flu and respiratory illnesses reported in care homes and hospitals in Wales so far this winter.

This includes 12 outbreaks provisionally reported in the last week.

But there are warnings that stocks of the vaccination are now “limited”, with those in “at-risk” groups urged to get protected as soon as possible.

Dr Frank Atherton, chief medical officer for Wales, said: “Flu can be a serious condition, especially for those in risk groups such as pregnant women, those aged 65 or over, or with a long-term health condition.

“If you catch flu please help to stop the virus spreading by staying away from other people if possible while you are ill, especially if they are very old, very young, pregnant or have a long-term health condition.

“Follow the Catch it, Bin it, Kill it advice.”

Most healthy people with flu can care for themselves at home to stop it spreading to others.

Doctors advise people with the virus to drink plenty of fluids, take paracetamol or ibuprofen, keep warm and rest. Symptoms usually resolve in about a week.

Dr Richard Roberts, head of the vaccine preventable disease programme at Public Health Wales, added: “Vaccination is the single best way to protect against catching flu or spreading it.

“With flu vaccine still available in Wales I encourage all those eligible for the free NHS vaccine to get it as soon as possible.”

Vaccination against flu is offered free by the NHS to people who are aged 65 or over, are pregnant, have certain long-term health conditions, or are unpaid carers.

Nasal spray flu vaccine is also still available for children who were aged two or three years old on August 31, 2017.

Public Health Wales said in the last two weeks one in 50 additional two and three-year-old children in Wales received the nasal spray flu vaccine, bringing the total immunised to 48%.