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Although we are still in the middle of November, the flu is already making itself felt this year – about four weeks earlier than usual. After two relatively harmless flu winters, it looks as if Austria is facing a severe flu epidemic this time around.
A look at Western Europe in particular is cause for concern: in the UK, for example, a new influenza variant called H3N2(K) is causing an early and severe start to the season. As reported by orf.at, this variant is also being closely monitored in Austria.
Monika Redlberger-Fritz, virologist at MedUni Vienna and head of the national influenza reference laboratory, explains: ” We are currently seeing that this variant is very contagious and is therefore causing a very strong wave of flu. In terms of symptoms, we are seeing that it actually causes typical flu, with high fever, severe cough, headache, and aching limbs.”
Although the H3N2 variant does not make the disease more severe than other H3 types, it evades vaccine protection more easily. This means that there will probably be more vaccine breakthroughs than usual this year. “However, this does not mean that we have no vaccine protection at all, only that we will probably see more vaccine breakthroughs. We still have good protection against severe cases, i.e., hospitalization and complications,” emphasizes the virologist.
The virus was discovered back in June – too late to adapt the vaccine for this season. “Vaccine production takes six months. That’s why the vaccine composition for the coming season is always decided in February so that production can begin in March.”
Meanwhile, the new, more contagious H3N2(K) variant is also appearing in more and more samples from Austria. According to Redlberger-Fritz, it is likely that it will dominate the season here, as it has in the UK and Japan. However, she remains cautious: “You always have to be very careful with speculation when it comes to influenza, because we have learned that influenza is always good for a surprise.”
A second reason why the flu wave could be more substantial is that, as in the UK, the season is starting about four weeks earlier than usual here. This means that the wave will already be underway while schools and universities are still open. “In other words, children can easily infect each other, bring the virus into their families, and thus act as drivers and amplifiers for its spread.”
Redlberger-Fritz is not surprised by this development. She sees it more as a return to normality, as was the case before the pandemic. “We know from experience before the pandemic that if there have been a few years with very moderate seasons, we can expect a stronger season.”
Nevertheless, the recommendations of the experts remain unchanged: vaccination is still recommended for everyone aged six months and older, but especially for risk groups such as people over 60, people with pre-existing conditions, children, and pregnant women. Anyone who has been infected should stay at home or otherwise keep their distance or wear a mask, advises the virologist.
- source: heute.at/picture: pixabay.com
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