Epidemic fear as Chinese flu kills five

Britain is facing an epidemic of a strain of Chinese flu that has already claimed the lives of five children, doctors warned today.

The victims were aged between 18 months and 11. Two were from England and the others from Scotland, although precise details of where they lived are not known.

The deaths came after GPs and hospitals were warned by Britain's most senior doctor to be vigilant.

Experts say the virus is about to sweep the capital and hit hundreds of thousands of people. Details of the expected outbreak were released by a national flu advisory network, based on information received from pharmacists, GPs and schools.

The virus usually begins with symptoms such as joint pain, fever, headache and sore throat but can be fatal if pneumonia or blood poisoning develop. Experts from the Government's Health Protection Agency said the particularly virulent strain, which was first identified in the Fujian province of China last year, is particularly dangerous for children.

The latest information suggests around 10 per cent of Londoners could get colds or flu next week, with the figure rising to 15 per cent within two or three weeks.

More than six million people across the UK are likely to be affected by the outbreak.

Yesterday the capital and surrounding areas were on " prealert", with a full alert likely to follow within days. Experts have predicted the spread of the virus using computers.

Britain's leading flu expert, Professor John Oxford, believes Britain may be in line for an epidemic. He said it was "most unusual" for so many children to die at the start of the flu season.

He added: "There is a sense of foreboding. Even in my most optimistic mood I don't believe it will remain quiet this year".

The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson, said that, after no major outbreaks for three winters, the flu season appeared to have arrived earlier than normal.

He warned GPs to ensure that those suffering from asthma, diabetes and heart problems, along with people over 65, are given the NHS flu jab.