Researchers are yet to fully understand why people with conditions such as diabetes and obesity are more likely to be hospitalised or die from flu but they think these conditions could alter the body’s immune response, reducing the ability to fight the virus.

“There’s been an incredible rate of increase of diabetes and obesity even in my lifetime,” said Dr Short. “This has significant implications on infectious diseases and the spread of infectious disease.”

Source: Rise of obesity and diabetes could exacerbate future flu pandemics