Brace for early flu season in England and get vaccinated, say experts
The flu season could be coming early this year, public health experts in England have said, adding that those who are eligible for a free vaccination should take up their offer,According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), an increase in flu levels in England is being driven by cases among younger adults and schoolchildren,It comes as Japan’s health authorities declared an influenza epidemic, with a higher than usual number of infections for the time of year,A report by the UKHSA suggests that while flu levels are rising in England, they remain within baseline – or typical – seasonal ranges,But it added that the levels were similar to those seen when the flu season came early in 2022-23.
Adam Finn, a professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol, said: “It looks like flu cases are going up early this year.Seasonal epidemics often get going in children first and then spread through the adult population.”According to the latest report by the UKHSA, which covers 6-12 October, influenza-like-illness consultations in primary care rose to 5.4 per 100,000 people, compared with 4.2 per 100,000 in the previous week.
There has also been a rise in influenza hospitalisations, increasing to 1,27 per 100,000 people in the most recent week, compared with 0,73 per 100,000 the week before,Dr Conall Watson, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “This week’s data is showing a rise in positive tests for flu, particularly in children and younger adults, as well an increase in GP and A&E attendances,It is relatively early in the autumn to be seeing these increases and we will be monitoring this closely in the coming weeks.
”Watson added that it was “absolutely crucial” for everyone eligible for a flu vaccine to book their appointment.“It could make all the difference in avoiding severe illness and hospitalisation,” he said.Among those eligible for a free flu jab are people aged 65 or over, pregnant women, people with certain long-term health conditions and people who live in a care home.A nasal spray vaccination is also available for children.Sign up to First EditionOur morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what’s happening and why it mattersafter newsletter promotion“Parents should complete school flu consent forms or arrange an appointment for eligible preschoolers at the GP,” Watson said, adding that the vaccine not only stops children from getting very unwell but can help avoid them passing flu to others, including grandparents.
Finn also stressed the importance of vaccination, adding that those not eligible for a free dose could buy one at a pharmacy.“Don’t make the mistake of assuming flu is always a mild disease.Even among children we see severe cases admitted to hospital every winter,” he said.“Vaccination reduces the risk of getting flu and of getting seriously ill with it.”
If you like a lot of chocolate on your biscuit … look away now
If you like a lot of chocolate on your biscuit you can no longer join our Club or pick up a Penguin, as the lunchbox favourites have reduced the amount of cocoa in their recipe so much they are now only “chocolate flavour”.The two snacks, both made by McVitie’s, changed their recipes earlier this year amid soaring cocoa prices – which have prompted manufacturers to try a number of different tactics to keep prices down.Club and Penguin can no longer be described as chocolate biscuits as they contain more palm oil and shea oil than cocoa, as first reported by the trade journal The Grocer.“We made some changes to McVitie’s Penguin and Club earlier this year, where we are using a chocolate flavour coating with cocoa mass, rather than a chocolate coating. Sensory testing with consumers shows the new coatings deliver the same great taste as the originals,” the McVitie’s owner, Pladis, said in a statement
Nearly £11bn wiped off UK banks after US regional banking fears spooked markets – as it happened
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AI chatbots are hurting children, Australian education minister warns as anti-bullying plan announced
A disturbing new trend of AI chatbots bullying children and even encouraging them to take their own lives has the Australian government very concerned.Speaking to media on Saturday, the federal education minister, Jason Clare, said artificial intelligence was “supercharging” bullying.“AI chatbots are now bullying kids. It’s not kids bullying kids, it’s AI bullying kids, humiliating them, hurting them, telling them they’re losers … telling them to kill themselves. I can’t think of anything more terrifying than that,” Clare said
UK MPs warn of repeat of 2024 riots unless online misinformation is tackled
Failures to properly tackle online misinformation mean it is “only a matter of time” before viral content triggers a repeat of the 2024 summer riots, MPs have warned.Chi Onwurah, the chair of the Commons science and technology select committee, said ministers seemed complacent about the threat and this was putting the public at risk.The committee said it was disappointed in the government’s response to its recent report warning social media companies’ business models contributed to disturbances after the Southport murders.Replying to the committee’s findings, the government rejected a call for legislation tackling generative artificial intelligence platforms and said it would not intervene directly in the online advertising market, which MPs claimed helped incentivise the creation of harmful material after the attack.Onwurah said the government agreed with most of its conclusions but had stopped short of backing its recommendations for action
New Zealand v England: first men’s T20 cricket international – live
18th over: England 127-6 (Curran 27, Carse 2) Curran flays the returning Henry for four through the covers. Both he and Carse are busy, scampering twos as they try to haul England’s total to something challenging. DROP! That could be costly! Tim Robinson spills a simple chance on the cover point boundary, in and out of the bread basket.17th over: England 116-6 (Curran 17, Carse 1) Brydon Carse joins Curran and gets off the mark with a fence to leg. Curran drives into the deep to keep strike
Unbeaten England eye place in semi-finals but results have masked woeful batting displays | Raf Nicholson
England find themselves in a curious position at the halfway point of their World Cup campaign as they prepare to face the hosts, India, on Sunday. They are unbeaten, sit third in the points table, and – partly because India have already lost twice – have a 98% chance of qualifying for the semi-finals. One more win would seal their progress to the knockouts.Yet their batting has been woeful. With the honourable exception of Nat Sciver-Brunt, England’s top seven have looked desperately lacking in the technique and temperament that is required on tricky batting tracks at Guwahati and Colombo
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