Flu cases on the rise

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) North West has seen increased numbers of flu sufferers in recent weeks, with 7.4 per 100,000 of the Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale population showing signs of influenza like symptoms.

The HPA has renewed calls urging people who have not yet had their free flu jabs to contact their GPs to arrange to be immunised.

Rochdale has the second lowest ratio of sufferers in Greater Manchester.

A spokesperson for HPA said: "The figures are in reality still very low. Even the Bolton figure of 27.6 per 100,000 of population, whilst the highest figure in Greater Manchester and significantly higher than the present regional and national averages, is still below the seasonal norm for this time of the year. So there isn’t a problem out there, but as the figures are increasing it seems to be a good time to issue a flu jabs reminder."

Uptake of the flu jab is particularly low amongst children suffering from chronic illness, like diabetes and asthma, because parents do not realise that their child is at risk of flu and eligible for vaccination.

Dr. Vinay Bothra, the Agency’s Influenza Lead for Greater Manchester, said: “Flu can be a nasty illness and should not be treated lightly. I would strongly advise people who have not yet acted on their invitations to have a free flu jab to arrange to have one now.”

Three to four thousand deaths are linked to flu each year in the United Kingdom.

People are eligible for a free flu jab on the NHS if they come into one of the following categories:

Are aged 65 or older

Live in a long-stay residential home

Are carers of people who are elderly or infirm

Children and adults of any age with chronic illness including chronic heart, lung, liver, kidney disease, asthmatics on steroids, diabetes requiring medication, and diseases of the nervous system like strokes or ministrokes.

Those with weakened immunity to infection due to disease or treatment, e.g. cancer treatment, HIV or chronic steroids.