Flu cases return to pre-pandemic levels - report

The report said there were 256 confirmed cases of influenza between September 2023 and April 2024

Influenza cases in Jersey have returned to levels seen in pre-pandemic years, according to the latest public health figures.

The figures released by Public Health Jersey showed there were 256 confirmed cases of influenza between September 2023 and April 2024, with about 30 deaths recorded.

The report said the number of cases was comparable with pre-pandemic years.

Prof Peter Bradley, director of Public Health, said it was important for people to get vaccinated against the illness.

The report said the proportion of patients aged 65 years and over who were vaccinated against the flu was 74%, which was below the World Health Organization ambition of 75%.

Prof Bradley said: "Normally flu is an illness that people do recover from but regrettably there are a few deaths every year.

"It shows how important it is to get vaccinated particularly for people who are older."

'More protection'

Prof Bradley said he wanted to improve vaccination rates.

"It's still a great number of people who are coming forward to be vaccinated, but we would like to see those numbers increase," he said.

"The more people we have vaccinated in our community the more protection we all benefit from."