Flu epidemic enters second week in Netherlands as doctor visits rise
The flu epidemic in the Netherlands has entered its second week, with more people visiting general practitioners for flu-like symptoms, health authorities reported. According to data from the Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM) and research institute Nivel, 68 out of every 100,000 people sought medical care last week, up from 62 per 100,000 the previous week.
Most people with flu do not see a doctor, but a smaller group—mainly vulnerable individuals—does, providing a reliable indication of virus spread. The epidemic began later than last year, and the peak so far appears lower. At the height of last year’s outbreak, more than 100 people per 100,000 visited doctors.
Experts track flu not only through doctor visits but also by testing samples for the influenza virus, as flu-like symptoms can result from other illnesses. These tests often confirm the presence of the flu virus.
Flu is caused by the influenza virus. Symptoms include coughing, fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, and muscle pain. While most people recover on their own, certain groups face higher risks, including those 60 and older, individuals with lung diseases, and people with diabetes. The RIVM estimates that approximately 4,700 people die from flu-related complications in the Netherlands each year.
To reduce risk, vulnerable individuals are advised to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Current circulating flu strains differ slightly from those included in this year’s vaccine, but the RIVM says it still offers protection “about as well as in other years.”
