Aussie Flu: Map of Britain shows worst hit areas as number of cases more than double compared to last year

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A map of the UK shows the worst hit areas by flu as figures reveal the number of sufferers has more than doubled compared to the same period last year.

So far 48 people have died as a result of the illness, a sharp rise from the 23 recorded just last week.

Now, a map created by FluSurvey – an online survey that monitors trends of flu like illness in the community – reveals the worst hit areas with Plymouth and Belfast ranking the highest with 54 cases reported in the last three weeks.

Blue areas show places largely affected by flu right now, while the red areas mean there has been a spike in cases.

However because the map, which updates every three minutes, relies on self-reported data from patients, there are fears that the number of cases could be significantly higher.

Around 46 Scots in every 100,000 suffered from the virus during the last week in December 2017, up from 22 in every 100,000 for the same week in 2016, according to latest Health Protection Scotland (HPS), reports Metro.

Meanwhile Public Health England figures released earlier this week revealed 1,649 people were struck down with flu in England and Wales over the week of Christmas.

flusurvey.org.uk

Data from HPS also highlights that around half of NHS Boards are reporting significant ward pressure as a result of the virus with A&E attendance in the week ending December 24 up almost 20 per cent on the same period the previous year.

The increasing number of flu cases has been put down to a surge in two aggressive subtypes - one of which being Aussie flu - as health officials warn a jab that has already been received by thousands of patients is ineffective against the prominent strain.

Now, there are concerns that flu cases are only going to rocket further in the coming weeks.

"As we would expect at this time of year, flu levels have increased,” Dr Richard Pebody, of Public Health England, told the Mail Online.

“For most people flu is generally mild but in certain groups, for example people who are elderly and those with weakened immune systems, it can be more serious resulting in hospitalisation and in extreme cases can be fatal.”