A dangerous flu epidemic may come to British shores this winter, experts have warned.

Two children have died in the US as a result of the virus, a four-year-old boy in California and another four-year-old in New York.

Britain's flu season is similar to Australia, which has also seen a number of cases of flu.

So far there have been fatal 662 cases of flu recorded in Australia this year, where it is believed that three strains of the virus are in circulation.

Professor Robert Dingwall, a public health expert at Nottingham Trent University, told The Sun Online, “The Australians have had a very bad flu season and we should expect the same flu strain to appear here later this winter.”

Fortunately - vaccines will be readily available as the strain of flu was in the UK last year, he said.

Professor Dingwall advised anyone who has not been vaccinated should do so as soon as possible.

Those who are elderly or are in vulnerable groups should also get their vaccine. 

He added: "This is especially the case if you are working in a job that involves a lot of contact with the general public, especially with children – toddlers are particularly good at spreading the virus.”

What are the symptoms of flu?

According to the NHS, symptoms of flu are:

  • A sudden fever - a temperature of 38C or above
  • An aching body
  • Feeling tired or exhausted
  • A dry cough, a sore throat, a headache, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, diarrhoea or tummy pain, feeling sick and being sick