The UK Health Security Agency reports above-average flu activity in England during September, with the virus arriving earlier than typical for the season.
The UKHSA notes that while overall flu levels remain low, multiple indicators point to rising transmission. These include a higher proportion of positive flu tests, increased GP consultations for influenza-like illness, and emergency-department attendances for influenza-like symptoms exceeding seasonally expected levels, according to UKHSA surveillance data published in October 2026.
The agency is urging at-risk groups to get vaccinated. Health officials characterise vaccination as the most effective way to reduce the impact of flu.
The early arrival of flu in England reflects patterns seen in other regions in recent years, where seasonal respiratory illness has shifted earlier in the calendar. The UKHSA data suggests the current wave began before the typical October-to-March flu season peak.