UK: "Health officials blamed icy weather and respiratory viruses, including flu, for the 21 per cent increase in the death rate."

Flu epidemic fears as deaths rise - Telegraph

Flu-like illnesses and the intense cold weather have caused a sudden rise in the number of deaths this winter.
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Between Dec 6 and 12, an estimated 11,193 people died in England and Wales, above the expected maximum for the time of year and almost 2,000 more deaths than the previous week. Health officials blamed icy weather and respiratory viruses, including flu, for the 21 per cent increase in the death rate.

The extra 1,973 deaths emerged in the Health Protection Agency's latest report on the spread of flu this winter, which some experts fear is already on course to become an epidemic.