England’s NHS is battling what they’re calling a “Worst Case Scenario December” with flu cases soaring, and Dutch experts have a clear message: it’s coming here too. The only question is when, not if.
The numbers from across the Channel are grim. Last week alone, 2,660 people were admitted to English hospitals with flu, an exceptionally high number for mid-December.
“This flu will undoubtedly come to the Netherlands. Viruses don’t care about national borders,” immunologist Ger Rijkers tells RTL Nieuws.
It’s all about the vaccine mismatch
The culprit is a mutation of the H3N2 virus. Calling it a “superflu” is a bit dramatic, but it is more contagious.
The real problem? This year’s flu vaccine isn’t perfectly matched to the dominant strain.
Each year, health authorities try to predict which flu variants will dominate based on patterns in Asia, where flu season starts earlier.
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Sometimes those predictions don’t pan out, and that’s what’s happened this winter, Rijkers explains to RTL Nieuws.
“Fewer people have come into contact with it, meaning less immunity has built up,” says Ted van Essen, influenza expert and chairman of the Dutch Immunisation Foundation.
The elderly and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk, with the virus potentially triggering pneumonia and increasing heart attack risk in vulnerable groups.
Christmas gatherings could fuel the spread
With Christmas festivities approaching, families gathering indoors create perfect conditions for flu transmission.
“Christmas is a celebration for the flu virus,” Rijkers warns. “Without wanting to cause too much concern, I would say be careful.”
The good news? Flu vaccinations still offer protection against serious illness, and people can still get the shot.
Van Essen emphasises it’s particularly recommended for those with heart or lung conditions, or weakened immune systems.
Have you had your flu jab this year, or are you bracing for the inevitable? Share your flu season survival tips in the comments.
