COVID-19, Flu, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles, Norovirus, Vaccinations and Other Virus and Health UK and World News Update 23rd January 2026

COVID-19, Flu, HPAI H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles, Norovirus, Vaccinations and Other Virus and Health UK and World News Update 23rd January 2026

Good news to start with, flu levels in the UK are still dropping, so while there is still pressure on some hospitals, it could be far worse, and still no sign of that supermegacatastrophicflu the media said we'd be expecting. England had an average 2,519 patients in hospital with flu each day last week, compared to 2,725 the week before (it was 3,833 for the same week last year). COVID continues to circulate at baseline levels and RSV activity decreased slightly, also circulating at low levels. 

It's not all fabulous news. Oh Norovirus, how we love you... Sadly Norovirus is having a party. 3 weeks ago England had an average 361 Norovirus hospital in-patients each day, 2 weeks ago it was around 600, and last week it was almost 1,000.

Some areas aren't really suffering, while others have heck of a lot of cases. Worst affected areas include Hull, Hampshire, Somerset, the Wirral, Bolton, Bristol, Sussex, York.

COVID-19, Flu, H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles, Vaccinations and other Virus and Health UK and World News Update 9th January 2025

COVID-19, Flu, H5N1 Avian Flu, Measles, Vaccinations and other Virus and Health UK and World News Update 9th January 2025

Hello, I'm back! Happy New Year! I hope your festivities were good ones, ours were great. We got to spend time with 5 of our 6 kids, plus the Grandparents, which was a treat indeed. It's been 4 weeks since the last update and thankfully it's been fairly quiet, but I shall start with something very much personal...

A few days after my last post, my strong, fit and healthy 15 year old became suddenly very unwell. We had swift advice from our GP, a visit to Stranraer A&E, a 90 mile blue light ambulance trip to Glasgow Children's Hospital, a night in the Paediatric ICU and a 2 day stay in the cardiac ward. We also got a diagnosis of a congenital heart condition which we were completely unaware of before, and my son home and safe. 

What was a terrifying experience was made so much easier by every single NHS and hospital employee we encountered. They were amazing. We were all treated with great care, nothing was an inconvenience. Everything was clearly explained and my son was remarkably calm the whole time, even when in a lot of pain and when told his sensible next step is heart surgery. If I live to be 100, I could not thank you all enough.

On my partner's 2 hour drive back from bringing toothbrushes and clean clothes up to Glasgow our car broke, so I also have gratitude to the garage, who fit in a repair 3 days before Christmas. 

So this is me, repeating my heartfelt (and in honesty teary) thanks to ALL of the vital essential workers who keep our loved ones alive and our world turning, often on low wages and with long unsocial hours, and over Christmas and other holidays. You are seen, and you really are valued. Thank you all of you. 

I also want to once again reiterate just how valuable our NHS is.

In the US I wouldn't just have my son's health to worry about, the ambulance alone could have cost us over £10,000, on top of insurance. At one point, at 11pm at night, my son had 5 consultants, 2 doctors and 2 nurses attending to him. He got the very, very best of care, and he is home and well. 

I say it at the end of every single post. Save The NHS.