Deadly flu cases may worsen, doctors fear, as Britain enters a frozen snap

AN IMPENDING cold snap this week risks worsening the flu crisis and increasing the death toll, doctors fear. Cold temperatures will sweep in across Britain tonight with snow on high ground and widespread frosts.

The cold spell comes as the NHS is battling a virulent flu outbreak, which has already claimed 85 lives and is threatening to become an epidemic.

Flu levels have doubled in a fortnight, with one in five patients in hospital now suffering from the deadly strain of “Australian” flu, say official figures.

Cold weather is likely to add to the strain on the NHS, medical leaders said. Public Health England said: “We know that cold weather often causes an increase in deaths for a number of reasons. This includes factors to do with the bugs themselves, and the fact that they may spread more easily when we spend more time together indoors.”

Prof Helen Stokes-lampard, chairman of the Royal College of GPS, said: “While the cold weather itself doesn’t cause flu, the influenza virus generally causes a peak in infections in wintertime. Cold weather often exacerbates pressures on general practice, and the wider NHS, not just because it usually coincides with flu season, but because there are more infectious diseases circulating generally.

“We do encourage patients who are ill to think hard about whether they do need to see a GP – not just in terms of reducing pressures on the NHS, but to minimise the possibility of passing viruses, such as flu, to other people, particularly in at-risk groups such as those with long-term conditions, or pregnant women.”

The Met Office said the UK would face temperatures below average for January and a widespread freeze tomorrow night. A spokesman said: “It’s going to be cold, even for January.”