Potentially deadly 'Aussie flu' - also known as H3N2 - has arrived in the UK after claiming hundreds of lives in Australia.
Aussie flu affected up to 170,000 people in Australia - more than two-and-a-half times last year's total - with over 300 reported to have died.
In late December, Ireland saw its first deaths - though 'no more than 10' - while the potentially killer strain has now been confirmed in parts of the UK too.
No deaths have been reported here but Public Health England's latest flu report, released on January 4th, reveals 17 people are in intensive care or a high dependency unit with H3N2.
However, according to the Flu Survey map, just two areas of the country have no reports of flu, including the Aussie strain.
The worst-hit areas include Portsmouth, Plymouth, Northern Ireland, Dundee, Doncaster, Chelmsford, Northampton and Canterbury, according to the map.
But what is 'Aussie flu'? And what steps can you take to avoid it? Read below to find out.
What are the Aussie flu symptoms?
The NHS stress that flu symptoms can come on quickly and can include:
- a sudden fever
- body aches
- coughing
- exhaustion
- fever
- headache
- minor congestion
- sore throat
- vomiting and diarrhoea
Symptoms for children are similar and may also include a pain in the ear, while appearing less active.
How can you treat flu?
Flu usually clears up by itself after around a week, but there are ways you can recover more quickly.
- rest
- sleep
- keep warm
- take paracetamol and ibuprofen
- drinking plenty of water
GPs do not prescribe antibiotics as they will not relieve symptoms or help recovery.
You can seek advice most easily from a pharmacist, and are encouraged not to call 999 or go to A&E unless you develop sudden chest pain, have trouble breathing or start coughing blood.
Patients are advised to only go to their GP if their symptoms fail to improve after seven days, they are a child, over-65, pregnant or have a long-term medical condition or weakened immune system.
What is Australian flu?
There are two main types of flu - A and B.
One of the strains of influenza circulating the UK this year is a type of A flu known as H3N2.
The particular strain of H3N2 flu that is affecting the UK is similar to the type that Australia suffered from earlier this year, during their winter.
Dr Richard Pebody, acting head of respiratory diseases at Public Health England, said: "In Australia they saw excess mortality and other hospitalisations and so on due to H3N2."
What is it like?
Sufferers of Aussie flu have come forward to tell their story to Mirror Online.
Mum-of-three Natalie Shand, 39, thought her Aussie flu was a hangover until she was struck down with vomiting, chest pains and wheezing.
Natalie, from Oldbury in the West Midlands, was left bedbound for five weeks off and on.
Meanwhile Mark Wilde, 51, from Great Sankey, Warrington, struggled to eat and walk after he was struck down with the H3N2 strain on New Year's Eve.
His fiancee Clare Roberts, 45, also caught the bug.
The couple, who "couldn't move" because of a rocketing fever, muscle aches and chest pains, said they would not wish the disease on "their worst enemy".
How can you avoid getting the flu?
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People have been urged to get a flu jab to protect themselves from the H3N2 strain.
The flu vaccine is the best protection we have, although because flu strains change, it needs to be done every year.
The flu jab is offered free to adults at risk, over-65s, pregnant women and children at risk aged six months to two years old, and a spray is offered to children up to four.
You can have the jab at your GP and some pharmacies. Serious side effects of the vaccine are rare.
Those who don't heed the advice and are diagnosed by a GP may be prescribed an anti-viral medication to treat their symptoms.
While it takes 10 to 14 days for the vaccine to take effect, Dr Pebody encouraged those who can take advantage of the NHS's free programme to do so.
It has been reported that the vaccine used in Australia wasn't as effective as hoped.
If you haven't been diagnosed but think you have the flu, you can speak to a pharmacist to find out if there are any over-the-counter medications you can take.
People can prevent the virus from spreading by washing their hands regularly, covering their mouth and nose with tissues or a sleeve when they cough or sneeze, and cleaning surfaces they suspect are infected.
What is the difference between flu and a cold?
The symptoms may be similar to a common cold, but flu tends to be more severe.
Flu tends to come on in a few hours, makes you feel exhausted and affects more than the nose and throat alone.
It can also lead to much more serious complications like pneumonia.
What are the experts saying?
Experts have warned that this year's strain of Aussie flu could be more dangerous than the 1968 flu pandemic that killed more than a million worldwide.
Public health expert Professor Robert Dingwall, of Nottingham Trent University, warned: "The reports from Australia suggest the UK might be in for the worst winter flu season for many years."
However, Public Health England said that it was not yet known whether the UK would be hit as hard as Australia.