A PUBLIC health supremo today revealed that East Lancashire was on the brink of a flu epidemic.

Dr Stephen Morton said the outbreak, which has gripped the area over the festive season, was set to reach a peak over the next two weeks.

The soaring number of flu victims has already placed emergency services, hospitals and GP practices under huge strain.

Non-urgent operations have already been cancelled in Blackburn and Burnley as pressure on hospital beds has become intense.

Dr Morton said according to official figures twice as many people are being admitted to hospitals than at the same time last year.

The emergency services are also struggling to cope with the demand and resources are at breaking point because of the number of staff taking sick leave.

Figures collected from health practices across the country point to an ever-increasing number of cases which look set to reach a peak in the next 14 days.

Dr Morton, East Lancashire Health Authority's director of public health, said the flu outbreak looked certain to be officially labelled an epidemic.

He said the current crisis was similar to the epidemic which afflicted the district two years ago.

Dr Morton said: "There has been an upsurge in the number of flu cases which will probably reach its peak over the next two weeks.

"Figures are collected from selected GP practices across the country and the indications are that the outbreak will reach epidemic levels."

Other viruses which are affecting people in East Lancashire have made the situation worse. Doctors are particularly concerned about Mycoplasma, an infection which affects the lungs and is particularly harmful for children and the elderly.

Dr Morton is confident that measures taken by the health authority earlier in the year will help the area through the crisis. They included advising every person aged over 65 to have a flu jab.

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