The UK is experiencing a wave of infections caused by a mutated strain of the influenza virus, leading to temporary school closures to curb the spread. In Willton, Somerset, Dansfield Middle School closed at the end of November to "break the chain of infection" following a widespread outbreak. In Leeds, Wigton Moor Primary School reduced school gatherings, especially after one in six pupils was absent due to illness last week. Meanwhile, the CEO of England's National Health Service, Sir Jim Mackey, warned that the health system is facing pressure that could resemble some aspects of the COVID-19 peak. He expects influenza patients to occupy 5,000 to 8,000 hospital beds daily by next week, surpassing the previous January peak of 5,408 beds. Hospitals in the UK have recorded a record number of admissions, reaching around 1,717 daily in the last week of November, sparking health concerns. Authorities attribute the rapid spread to a mutated strain of influenza A (H3N2), also known as the K sub-strain, urging citizens to wear masks at the first sign of symptoms. In South Wales, St Martin's School in Cwmcarn was temporarily closed after over 250 pupils and staff were infected. The Welsh government has implemented "firebreak" measures—short, strict measures used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Symptoms among students included vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, cough, headache, fatigue, and typical flu-like symptoms. In Cheshire (Chester), Congleton High School was closed for three days (November 26-28) for a deep clean after a rise in student infections.
