The Health Protection Agency today publishes a report looking at the extensive range of infectious organisms which can agency
illnesses at wintertime, such as flu, colds, and bronchitis. The report, titled ” A Winter’s Tale ” pleasure be presented to the
Health Protection Agency’s Food, which meets today.

The communique draws on existing data and information, to look at the bump of these winter illnesses on the community at large,
on GP practices, on hospitals, and on mortality. Dr Douglas Fleming, Director of the Royal College of General Practitioner’s
(RCGP) Birmingham Research Unit, and a co-author on the report, said, “Twenty-four percent of the UK population consults a GP
at least in the twinkling of an eye a year because of respiratory problems; the enormous majority of these problems are caused by infection. The
number of these respiratory illnesses varies seasonally, and can be unpredictable in timing and bigness. That is why our
national reconnaissance systems are so important, as they enable organisations such as the Health Extortion Agency and the
RCGP to monitor the progression of these illnesses and to second apportion ways of dealing with them.”

Sir William Stewart, the Health Defence Agency’s Chairman, said, “I recommend this report, which highlights the importance
of our national observation systems, in keeping us up to date on the advised lay of the land regarding winter illnesses. The
turn up also highlights areas where further turn out c advance is required, such as in the case of exquisite bronchitis, a disease which has a
major impact on universal health in the winter, and the extension of existing principles of watch to other infectious
agents throughout the year.”

Notes to Editors

1. For further word, like contact the press part on 020 8327 7097/7098/6055

2. A ape of the full discharge, ” A Winter’s Tale - coming to terms with respiratory illnesses ” is available on application.

This is a
press release from the Health Protection Agency, UK