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Source: http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/...t-for-50-years
Flu warning: Experts warn of UK's worst epidemic for almost 50 years
BRITAIN faces the worst flu outbreak for almost 50 years and public health officials must take urgent steps to protect the public, experts have said.
By Lucy Johnston and Adam Helliker, Exclusive
PUBLISHED: 00:01, Sun, Sep 24, 2017
The warning comes as Australia is in the grip of its worst season on record with more than 70,000 cases of flu and standing room only in some Accident and Emergency departments.
Specialists say this strain is likely to hit our shores this winter as global travel means the virus will ?almost inevitably? be carried across.
Professor Robert Dingwall, a public health expert at Nottingham Trent University said the outbreak presents the most serious challenge since the 1968 flu pandemic which originated in Hong Kong and killed a million people worldwide.
Scientists are concerned about ?virological drift? where flu evolves so that even if a vaccine works in one country, it may not be effective months later.
Prof Dingwall said: ?Based on the Australian experience public health officials need to meet and urgently review emergency planning procedures. Public Health England should be working with local authorities and local health services to ensure more hospital beds are freed up. We need to be prepared, alert and flexible.
?There is no point in trying to close the borders. It?s almost inevitable this will come to us. This is potentially the worst winter since the Hong Kong flu outbreak of 1968. Lots of people have been very badly affected in Australia and whilst their mortality rates are not out yet we suspect this is a more severe strain than most other years.?
The warning follows a speech earlier this month from NHS chief Simon Stevens who said the NHS may not be able to cope with the pressure...
Flu warning: Experts warn of UK's worst epidemic for almost 50 years
BRITAIN faces the worst flu outbreak for almost 50 years and public health officials must take urgent steps to protect the public, experts have said.
By Lucy Johnston and Adam Helliker, Exclusive
PUBLISHED: 00:01, Sun, Sep 24, 2017
The warning comes as Australia is in the grip of its worst season on record with more than 70,000 cases of flu and standing room only in some Accident and Emergency departments.
Specialists say this strain is likely to hit our shores this winter as global travel means the virus will ?almost inevitably? be carried across.
Professor Robert Dingwall, a public health expert at Nottingham Trent University said the outbreak presents the most serious challenge since the 1968 flu pandemic which originated in Hong Kong and killed a million people worldwide.
Scientists are concerned about ?virological drift? where flu evolves so that even if a vaccine works in one country, it may not be effective months later.
Prof Dingwall said: ?Based on the Australian experience public health officials need to meet and urgently review emergency planning procedures. Public Health England should be working with local authorities and local health services to ensure more hospital beds are freed up. We need to be prepared, alert and flexible.
?There is no point in trying to close the borders. It?s almost inevitable this will come to us. This is potentially the worst winter since the Hong Kong flu outbreak of 1968. Lots of people have been very badly affected in Australia and whilst their mortality rates are not out yet we suspect this is a more severe strain than most other years.?
The warning follows a speech earlier this month from NHS chief Simon Stevens who said the NHS may not be able to cope with the pressure...
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