This week, several NHS trusts have declared critical incidents due to an early and significant surge in flu cases. While some on social media social media is ablaze with clinical wisdom from people whose qualifications appear to be “angry on X dot com.”, the latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency tell a different story.

One claims it is the same every year. Another blames NHS staff for poisoning patients with flu jabs and TikTok dances. And of course, the usual cast are declaring that under no circumstances will they wear a mask. Thank you all for your invaluable service to public health.

In the most recent report for Week 49 (ending 30 November 2025), influenza activity has increased sharply and earlier than in recent years. Key figures include:

• The overall influenza hospital admission rate rose by 63 percent in one week, from 4.78 to 7.79 per 100,000 population.
• Among those aged 85 and over, the rate has surged to 40.04 per 100,000, the highest of any age group.
• The UKHSA recorded 244 outbreaks of acute respiratory infection. Of these, 123 occurred in care homes, with over half attributed to influenza A.
• Schools were also significantly affected, with 107 outbreaks, and hospitals reported a further nine.
• Intensive care and high dependency unit admissions due to flu increased to 0.19 per 100,000, reflecting rising clinical severity.
• GP surveillance showed that 28.6 percent of respiratory samples tested positive for flu, indicating broad community transmission.
• COVID-19 and RSV remain in circulation. Among under-fives, RSV hospitalisation rates climbed to 44.62 per 100,000.

These figures reflect a substantial burden on the health service. So no, this is not “the same as every year” unless one’s calendar begins and ends with online outrage. Yes, flu always comes in winter. That does not make a surge of this scale benign. The NHS is not crying wolf. It is responding to measurable, escalating pressure from respiratory viruses arriving earlier and with greater force than usual.

But do carry on insisting it is all a scam, a conspiracy, or simply a matter of attitude. Thankfully, the rest of us will stick to evidence, empathy and reason.

This is not cause for panic, but it is cause for serious attention.

The public deserves clear facts and reasoned discourse. The statistics support the NHS response and demonstrate why precautionary measures, including enhanced infection control, are being considered.

Curious Femme invites you to pause, reflect and recognise that the data speaks for itself.