The number of people going to their GP with flu-like symptoms is on the rise and Belgium is now heading towards a second "atypical" flu peak, which started unusually early this season, said virologist Steven Van Gucht on Friday.
The weekly reports of Belgium's national health institute Sciensano are clear: from the beginning of January until now, the number of people who visited their GP with flu-like symptoms was significantly higher than usual during this period.
"It's going to be a long flu epidemic," said Van Gucht in a press release. "A normal flu season counts one peak, now we are heading for number two."
This week, the number of GP consultations for flu even rose to 225 per 100,000 inhabitants – far above the epidemic threshold of 53 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants. Additionally, Covid-19 infections are also on the rise again.
"We are indeed moving towards a second flu peak," said Van Gucht. "The number of infections will definitely increase. Until the Carnival holidays (20 February), people can still expect a lot of flu, we are not rid of it yet. If there is one month that is really known as a flu month, it is February."
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The 2019 flu season also had two peaks, but such a course is still "rather atypical," Van Gucht explained. "This flu season started earlier than normal, with a first peak at the end of December. Over the last ten years, this is rather exceptional. Usually, we only see high figures after the Christmas holidays. Now the epidemic is getting a second wind. The Covid-19 pandemic has somewhat disrupted the last flu seasons."
A second flu shot for vulnerable or elderly people, however, is not needed. "A flu vaccine works for about six months. One should suffice. We are not going to vaccinate a second time."
