Flu epidemic in the Netherlands, but why so late?

A flu epidemic has officially been identified in the Netherlands. Usually such an epidemic occurs much earlier. Why does it only happen in March this time?

flu epidemic

There is a flu epidemic in our country almost every year. We are talking about an epidemic if at least 2 weeks in a row an x ​​number of people visit their GP with flu-like complaints and the pathogenic influenza virus is actually found in at least 10 percent of them. In the Netherlands, knowledge organization Nivel keeps track how many flu cases there are.

Coronamaatregelen

A flu epidemic often starts in December or January, but in 2022 this will not be until March. Of course, it cannot be determined with 100 percent certainty why this is, but everything indicates that the corona measures have slowed the rise of flu. “Since the start of the ‘normal’ flu season in 2021, the flu virus has only been found very occasionally in the Netherlands. This is probably due to the corona measures. They also worked against the spread of the flu virus. Now that the measures have been relaxed, people have more contact with others. This also increases the risk of respiratory infections such as the flu RIVM on its own website. The Nivel also mentions this as a reason on their site.

The corona measures are probably also the reason that a flu epidemic will occur in the 2020-2021 season has gone out completely. Although there is now an epidemic, the figures do not seem to be through the roof for the time being. According to the RIVM, there are fewer people with flu during this epidemic than during flu epidemics from the pre-corona era.

Flu or corona?

Although there is a new flu epidemic, the coronavirus is of course still present. The symptoms that can arise after a corona infection are comparable to those of the flu, according to MAX general practitioner Ted van Essen. “The complaints are similar and so are the risks of complications. As with covid, a flu shot is not a guarantee that you will not get the flu. If you get a fever, get a cold and have to cough, you must of course first rule out corona via a test at the GGD. If it is negative, you don’t have to be in isolation, but you can have the flu (influenza).”
According to Doctor Ted, even in the case of the flu, it is important not to have contact with people who fall within the risk groups, because you can infect them. ‘Risk groups’ include, for example, the elderly, people with lung, heart or kidney problems or diabetes.