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Winter season/WHO: There is a new intense strain of flu

2025-12-17 14:20:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Winter season/WHO: There is a new intense strain of flu

The World Health Organization has issued a statement regarding the seasonal flu.

In the statement, the WHO indicates that influenza is spreading across the European region earlier than usual and with a new dominant strain.

The WHO Regional Director for Europe announced that a new strain of flu is driving infections.

The WHO says cases will continue to rise until the peak of the flu season, in late December or early January.

 

 

WHO statement

 

More than half of the WHO European Region is experiencing an intense and early influenza season caused by the new influenza strain.

Flu is spreading across the European Region earlier than usual, with a new dominant strain of the virus putting health systems under considerable strain in some countries. The public is advised to take simple protective measures to protect themselves and others this winter.

The flu season has started approximately four weeks earlier than in previous seasons. At least 27 of the 38 countries in the WHO European Region reporting data are now seeing high or very high influenza activity. In six countries - Ireland, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia and the United Kingdom - more than half of patients tested for influenza-like illness tested positive for influenza.

“Flu comes every winter, but this year is a little different,” said Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “A new strain – subclade K of A(H3N2) – is driving infections, although there is no evidence that it causes more severe disease. This new variant of seasonal flu now accounts for up to 90% of all confirmed flu cases in the European Region. It shows how just a small genetic change in the flu virus can put a huge strain on our health systems, because people have no built-up immunity against it.”

Although it may not prevent infection, early data from the United Kingdom confirm that the current seasonal flu vaccine reduces the risk of serious health consequences from influenza A(H3N2) virus. Vaccination remains the most important preventive step to avoid serious health consequences. This is particularly important for those at higher risk, including older people, those with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and children. In addition, healthcare workers are also a priority group for vaccination to protect their own health and the health of their patients.

As in previous seasons, school-aged children are the main drivers of community spread. However, adults aged 65 and older account for the majority of severe cases requiring hospitalization, highlighting their critical priority for vaccination.

How to stay safe this winter

Cases will continue to increase until the peak of flu season, most likely in late December or early January. Most people will recover from the flu on their own. People with severe symptoms or other medical problems should seek medical attention.

WHO reiterates proven measures to curb transmission and save lives:

Get vaccinated: This is the best protection, especially for high-priority groups and healthcare workers, who should also follow infection prevention measures and wear a mask when necessary.

Stop the spread: Stay home if you are not feeling well. If you have respiratory symptoms, wear a mask in public to prevent spreading the virus to others. Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough. Wash your hands regularly. And open windows and doors often to improve indoor airflow.

“The current flu season, while serious, does not represent the level of global emergency we faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our health systems have decades of experience in managing flu, we have safe vaccines that are updated annually, and we have a clear playbook of protective measures that work. If we use the proven tools we already have – vaccination, health-conscious behavior, and strong public health systems to protect the most vulnerable – then we will weather this predictable seasonal storm.”

"It is also essential in the current climate of misinformation and disinformation to seek reliable information from trusted sources such as national health agencies and the WHO. In a challenging flu season, reliable, evidence-based information can be lifesaving," concluded Dr. Kluge.





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