Number of children admitted to hospital with viral disease rose markedly last year

Latest NHS figures show a 10% rise in hospital admissions for infectious and parasitic disease in England over the past year. This compares with an overall rise in admissions of 2% in the same period.

The latest hospital episode statistics show that the rise is largely because of a substantial increase in admissions of children aged under 15 years with viral infections. The Department of Health has said it would be looking into the figures.

Infectious and parasitic diseases were responsible for 201 800 …