Super flu raging through England will make its way to the Netherlands, experts say

The “super flu” spreading through England like wildfire will make its way to the Netherlands, experts told RTL Nieuws. They expect another flu epidemic this winter. “In recent years, the only time we haven’t had a flu epidemic was during the coronavirus pandemic, because of all the measures in place. But you can bet there will be another epidemic this winter,” flu expert Ted van Essen said.

In England, the National Health Service warned of a wave of flu infections, speaking of a “Worst Case Scenario December.” Last week, 2,660 people were in English hospitals with the flu - an exceptionally high number for this early in the winter.

This flu virus has a significant number of variants that this year’s flu vaccine “isn’t ideally suited to,” immunologist Ger Rijkers explained to RTL Nieuws. It’s a mutation of the H3N2 virus and is being called “the super flu” by some. “This flu will undoubtedly come to the Netherlands. Viruses don’t care about national borders.”

That doesn’t necessarily mean it is more dangerous, but it is more contagious. “Fewer people have come into contact with it, meaning less immunity to the virus has built up in the community,” Ted van Essen, an influenza expert and chairman of the Dutch Immunization Foundation, said. He added that the flu is also leading to more hospitalizations in other parts of the Northern Hemisphere. “People seem to be more susceptible to it.”

Van Essen doesn’t doubt that the super flu will hit the Netherlands, but how bad it will be is difficult to predict. The flu typically takes 3 to 4 days to start showing symptoms. Common symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, and general malaise. But the virus is more dangerous to elderly people, people with weakened immune systems, and low fitness levels. These groups are more susceptible to vascular diseases and have a higher risk of heart attacks, Van Essen said.

While the flu shot doesn’t offer optimal protection this year, it still protects against serious illness. People can and should still get the shot. “It’s certainly recommended for people with heart or lung conditions, or people with weakened immune systems.”

Immunologist Rijkers added that high-risk groups should be vigilant as the holidays approach. “It’s tradition for families to get together around Christmas, including the oldest members. They are the most vulnerable. The youngest are the least, but they do spread the virus,” Rijkers said. “Without wanting to cause too much concern, I would say be careful.” He called Christmas a “celebration for the flu virus.”