Fears are growing that the UK is on the verge of a flu epidemic that could last until March as the death toll hits 149. Up to 8.3 million people are said to have been hit by symptoms this week with 4,500 in hospital last week alone. Public Health England (PHE) also said there was an 11 per cent increase in the flu hospitalisation rate, along with a huge increase in the GP consultation rate with flu-like illness compared to the previous week. Professor Paul Cosford, PHE medical director, said: “Our data continues to show that more people are visiting GPs with flu symptoms and we are seeing more people admitted to hospital with flu. In terms of hospital admission this is the most fignificant flu season since the winter of 2010/11 and the preceding pandemic year of 2009, although it is still not an epidemic. We are currently seeing a mix of flu types, including the AH3N2 strain that circulated last winter in the UK and then in Australia. This strain particularly affect olde, more vulnerable age groups. The best form of protection against flu is to get the vaccine if you are eligible and to practise good respiratory and had hygiene. Whilst flu rates in primary care are still within what we term the medium threshold the virus does seem to be affecting patients aged over 65 the most, with rates moving into the very high threshold. As ever, flu is unpredictable so it remains impossible to speculate how rate will change in the coming weeks-they may increase further, they may level out or even decline”.