Intense flu epidemic activity is surging across Europe weeks ahead of schedule, placing significant pressure on healthcare systems.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that more than half of European countries are now experiencing an intense influenza outbreak, driven by a new viral strain against which populations have little immunity.

Consequently, the WHO’s regional director for Europe, Hans Henri P.

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Kluge, is urging the public to adopt simple protective measures. The season began approximately four weeks earlier than in previous years, with at least 27 of 38 countries in the WHO European Region reporting high or very high flu activity.

Health Officials Urge Vaccination Amid Intense Flu Epidemic

Kluge has reiterated the critical need for vaccination and the use of masks when symptomatic, especially around vulnerable groups or in crowded spaces. Furthermore, he advises staying home when possible if symptoms appear, regular handwashing, and frequently opening windows and doors in enclosed spaces to improve airflow.

“It is also vital, in the current climate of disinformation, to seek credible information from reliable sources, such as national health agencies and the WHO,” Kluge stated. “The flu comes every winter, but this year is a bit different,” he warned, pointing to the K variant, which is causing 90% of infections, though there is no evidence it causes more severe illness.

This demonstrates that even a small genetic variation in the flu virus can place enormous strain on health systems due to a lack of developed immunity. However, Kluge emphasised that while serious, this year’s epidemic does not represent the level of global emergency seen during the pandemic.

“Our health systems have decades of experience managing flu, we have safe vaccines that are updated annually, and we have a clear manual of protective measures that work,” he said. “If we use the proven tools we have, we can weather this predictable seasonal storm.”

In Catalonia, the worst flu epidemic in 15 years continues to grow, having doubled its incidence in the latest week to reach a very high level of transmission. The high circulation of the virus, particularly among children, is straining emergency services, especially primary care centres (CAPs), which diagnosed 32,920 new cases in the last seven days according to the latest data.

Hospitals have admitted 530 people in the past week for acute respiratory infections, all just one week before family gatherings for the Christmas holidays. “Emergency visits have increased across Catalonia. The more flu there is, the more pressure on care centres. Right now it is very high,” explained Mireia Puig, president of the Catalan Society of Emergency Medicine.

Puig clarified that the hospitalisation rate is similar to last year, as the current variant is more contagious but not more aggressive. Nevertheless, she warned that as more people become infected, the risk increases that someone will require hospitalisation.

The estimated incidence is 766 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, up from 421 the previous week. Regarding the incidence of all acute respiratory infections—including flu, rhinovirus, COVID, and RSV—it stands at 1,152 affected per 100,000 inhabitants, equivalent to 93,519 cases. The flu is the most predominant virus, found in two out of every three samples analysed.

All people hospitalised with COVID and 76% of those admitted with flu are over 60 years old, while 67% of RSV hospitalisations are children under 4. For a week now, the Catalan health department has mandated mask use in health centres, care homes, and social-health facilities for both patients and professionals, also recommending their use on public transport, especially if symptomatic.

Puig maintains that vaccination is the best protective measure against flu. She also recommends good ventilation, hand hygiene during Christmas gatherings with people vulnerable to the disease, and mask use if someone has symptoms. According to the latest data from Ara Cat, flu vaccine coverage is 66% for people over 80 and 53% for those aged 70-79.

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