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Flu admissions to Welsh hospitals nearly doubled in a week as rates are currently high for this point in the year. The latest update from the Weekly Surveillance Report "suggests" influenza is now circulating in the community in Wales. Confirmed cases of community acquired influenza admitted to hospital increased to 47 in the current week. This was up from 28 in the previous week. There were 54 in-patient cases of confirmed influenza, one of whom was in critical care, compared to 36 and one in the previous week. The highest rates (in order) are found in babies, toddlers (1-4) and the over 75s. Levels remain at low intensity but they are high for this time in the year. There were 7.8 influenza like illness (ILI) consultations per 100,000 of the doctors practice population in the most recent week, an increase compared to the previous week from 5.4. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox This rate is higher than in any of the previous five years, which is causing a concern as we head into the peak flu months of December and January. There were 17.2 Acute Respiratory Infection consultations per 100,000 practice population, an increase from 15.3 in the previous week. The short term projections for Wales show that Influenza admissions are projected to increase over the next two week period. The highest rates were found in people aged under 1 year, followed by people aged 1 to 4 years, and people aged 75+ years. Surveillance indicators for acute respiratory infections in GP consultation data in Wales are increasing in people aged under five years. In England health officials are warning of a particularly sharp increase in cases among children. The UK Health Security Agency has warned that the virus will likely start to spread across older age groups too. They said the number of people in hospital in England for influenza is double the rate compared to this time last year, and higher than the rates at this stage in 2023. Dr Christopher Johnson, Head of the Vaccine Preventable Disease Programme (VPDP) at Public Health Wales, said: “Flu is now circulating across Wales and we’re seeing signs that this year’s season has started earlier than usual. “Although the flu season is starting earlier than we have seen in recent years, there is still time to get your flu vaccine before we reach the peak of circulation. The flu vaccine is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against the three strains of flu that circulate each year. “Many people will also be eligible for other vaccinations that help prevent infections that are more common in the winter, including COVID-19 and RSV. Together, these vaccines provide the best protection against the viruses which put many people in hospital and place pressure on NHS resources this winter.” The flu vaccine is offered every year to help protect those most at risk of serious illness. It is especially important for older adults, care home residents and staff, health and social care workers, young children, those with certain health conditions including asthma and diabetes and pregnant women, as flu in pregnancy can have serious health impacts for both pregnant women and babies. Those eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine include people aged 65 years and older, people aged six months to 64 years with a long-term health condition, pregnant women, carers, health and social care workers, and people living in care homes. Children aged two and three (on 31 August 2025) are also eligible, and primary and secondary school pupils (reception to year 11) are being offered the flu vaccine through schools. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
