The flu is circulating unusually early in Europe, and the emergence of a new variant of the H3N2 strain has experts worried. Health authorities warn that people in risk categories should get vaccinated “without delay”.
The flu hits Europe earlier PHOTO: Pexels
According to a report by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), flu cases are being detected three to four weeks earlier than in the past two years. The report covers the countries of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
The ECDC says the accelerated spread is being driven by a new subvariant of the influenza A (H3N2) virus, called subclade K. The same variant has also been seen in the UK, where there are clear signs of an earlier and more severe flu season than normal.
It is not yet clear how bad the flu season will be in continental Europe, but the ECDC warns that things could get worse if the number of infections increases and vaccination rates remain low.
“Time is of the essence”
“We’re seeing an increase in flu detections much earlier than usual this year, and that means time is of the essence”said Edoardo Colzani, expert in respiratory viruses at ECDC, according to Euronews. He points out that “Getting vaccinated now is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you from serious illness this winter.”
ECDC recommends vaccination “without delay” for the elderly, pregnant women, patients with chronic diseases or low immunity, medical personnel and those living in care centers or other collective environments.
Flu vaccines are updated annually to keep up with the evolution of the virus. The H3N2 strain included in this year’s vaccine was among the most prevalent last season in the northern hemisphere. However, the ECDC notes that the new subclade K is sufficiently different and the effectiveness of the vaccine against it is not yet fully known.
Even in these conditions, specialists insist that vaccination remains essential to reduce the number of illnesses and to protect vulnerable groups. “If you are eligible for vaccination, please do not wait”Colzani also said.
Additional measures for care centers
ECDC also recommends increased prevention measures in clinics and long-term care facilities. These include the wearing of masks by staff and visitors during periods when the virus is circulating heavily.
European health authorities are thus preparing for a possibly more severe flu season, in the context of the early re-emergence of the virus and the spread of the new H3N2 variant.
