Virologists are anticipating a flu epidemic in the Netherlands in the coming weeks

Dutch virologists are anticipating a flu epidemic in the Netherlands in the coming weeks as cases rise across Europe. Ted van Essen, chairman of the Dutch Immunization Foundation, told NOS that the flu strain currently circulating in the United Kingdom, H3N2, is likely to reach the Netherlands soon.

“Flu doesn’t stop at the Channel,” Van Essen told the newspaper. “The number of cases here is still limited, but it is increasing.”

Data from Nivel, which tracks flu-related visits to general practitioners, shows that last week 40 out of every 100,000 people reported flu symptoms. An epidemic is defined as two consecutive weeks with 46 cases per 100,000.

H3N2 infections generally cause more severe symptoms than typical flu, including higher fever, stronger coughing, and more nasal congestion. Older adults and people with underlying health conditions are most vulnerable.

Flu epidemics are a regular occurrence, Van Essen said, with the only interruption during COVID-19 lockdowns. The last major flu wave in the Netherlands was in 2018, when an estimated 900,000 people fell ill and approximately 9,000 died. Hospitals faced pressure, and if numbers reach similar levels, about 90,000 hospitalizations could occur, potentially forcing some hospitals to turn patients away.

The World Health Organization reports flu activity increasing in December, earlier than the usual January-February peak. The flu vaccine is offered in November to allow two weeks for immunity. It reportedly provides roughly 35 percent protection against illness and 40 percent against hospitalization.

As the holiday season approaches, those with symptoms are advised to avoid contact with vulnerable individuals. “The virus may be slightly more contagious and make people somewhat sicker, but the vaccine is just as effective as in previous years,” Van Essen said.