Influenza Season Outlook: What to Expect This Winter

As the holiday season approaches, health experts are closely monitoring the early signs of the upcoming influenza season. Leading virologist Marc Van Ranst recently shared his assessment, drawing parallels between current European trends and those observed in Australia during their winter months.

Van Ranst, in an interview, noted, “we see that the flu strains that we now see in Europe are, on the whole, the same as those we saw in Australia in their winter, so in our summer.”

This observation suggests a predictable pattern for the upcoming U.S. flu season. He further elaborated, stating, “So we expect a season with mainly influenza A, and a little bit of influenza B, and about the same strains. In Australia they had a rather normal flu season.”

While predicting the severity of the season remains challenging, Van Ranst offered a reassuring perspective: “Whether we can expect that here too cannot be predicted at this time, but there is also no argument to assume that it would be a notably heavy flu season.”

Holiday Gatherings Could Fuel Flu Spread

Despite the relatively optimistic outlook, Van Ranst acknowledges the current upward trend in infection rates.He explained, “A flu period normally lasts ten weeks and we are now at the very beginning.” The timing, coinciding with school closures and the peak of holiday gatherings, raises concerns about increased transmission.

The increased social interaction inherent in the holiday season is a significant factor. van Ranst highlighted this, saying, “the schools are closed, but we are in the middle of the festive season, a period when a lot of people meet each other. That will contribute to the spread of the flu. We can already predict that the numbers will increase in the coming weeks.”

experts recommend practicing good hygiene, including frequent handwashing and staying home when sick, to mitigate the spread of influenza during this period.Staying informed about the latest health advisories from the CDC is also crucial for making informed decisions about personal health and safety.

According to virologist Marc Van Ranst [[3]], the 2023-2024 flu season is predicted to be a “normal” flu season with mainly influenza A and a little bit of influenza B, similar to what Australia experienced during their winter.



Van Ranst [[3]]says although the severity of the flu season cannot be predicted with certainty, there is no reason to believe it will be a particularly heavy flu season.



However,Van Ranst [[3]]cautions that the current upward trend in influenza cases may continue due to holiday gatherings and school closures,leading to increased transmission in the coming weeks.