The number of people suffering from the flu in England has plunged more than 95 per cent to its lowest level in more than 130 years.
Experts said the trend is likely because of Covid-19 restrictions, as well as record levels of people receiving influenza vaccines ahead of winter.
According to the Royal College of General Practitioners, the professional body for family doctors, the number of flu-like illnesses reported to GPs was 1.1 per 100,000 people, compared with a five-year average of 27 per 100,000.
Only 42 people reported flu-like illnesses out of four million patients at 392 GP surgeries in England, the data showed.
There are normally thousands of people in British hospitals with the flu at this time of year but in the second week of January the number of such hospital admissions was zero.
Worldwide, about a billion people get the flu each year but the World Health Organisation predicts “less than a tenth” of that figure this year.
Prof Martin Marshall, chairman of the RCGP, said coronavirus measures such as hand-washing and working from home were likely to be the main reason the flu was not as prevalent this year.
He said that there had been “excellent” uptake of the flu vaccine, with more than 80 per cent of over-65s receiving the shot.
"Whilst a staggering figure, it makes sense when you consider the lockdown restrictions, social distancing measures, and increased focus on maintaining good hygiene practices we are seeing at the moment, which will work to stop the spread of contagious illnesses such as colds and flu, as well as Covid-19," he told The Times.
In the US, flu transmission is also down on previous years. The Centre for Disease Control said between September and December, 2019, there were more than 65,000 flu cases. During the same period in 2020, there were just 1,000.
Meanwhile, the Pacific region, South America and southern Africa experienced very low levels of influenza during the southern winter.
In pictures - coronavirus in the UK
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People receive the Covid-19 vaccine at the Derby Arena velodrome in Derby. Reuters -
A sign reminding beach-users of the guidance to keep 2 metres away from other people is seen in Fleetwood, northwest England. AFP -
The vaccination centre in the Newcastle Eagles Community Arena, in Newcastle upon Tyne. Reuters -
Volunteers practices administering an intramuscular injection with a training model during vaccinator training to prepare volunteers to be deployed to assist in the national Covid-19 vaccination programme, at the University of Hull. AFP -
People practice social distancing as they wait to receive a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine at a community vaccination centre at Hartlepool Town Hall. Reuters -
People take pictures in a deserted Old Bond Street in London. Reuters -
British Transport Police officers check on travellers as they arrive at Euston rail station in London. Reuters -
A health official prepares a dose of Covid-19 vaccine at a community vaccination centre at Hartlepool Town Hall. Reuters -
W. Uden & Sons Funeral Conductor Spencer Baxter leads the procession of a funeral service in Sidcup, amid the coronavirus disease pandemic, in south east London. Reuters
