Belgian authorities have declared a flu pandemic after infections there soared to proportions similar to those seen with COVID-19.
The nation's national public health institute, Sciensano, declared on Wednesday that there is sufficient data to identify the current situation as an influenza epidemic.
The institution stated that although the flu has been present in our nation for some time, the conditions have finally been met for it to be considered an epidemic. They described how general practitioners, lab testing, and hospital admissions had all seen a "clear increase" in influenza cases.
The institute also mentioned that influenza-like symptoms can also be caused by other respiratory viruses, including the bronchiolitis virus, coronavirus, and others.
Steven Van Gucht, a virologist at Sciensano, says, “we now see about as many flu patients in our hospitals as corona patients.” However, “the number of hospitalised flu patients is likely to take the lead.”
Since the number of instances is so high, the healthcare industry is already under stress, but experts fear things could worsen. According to Van Gucht, “it is always possible to get a flu shot,” and the peak will occur in three to four weeks.
This year, the flu season in Europe began earlier than usual, with an uptick in hospitalisations attributable to the virus beginning in October.
Many nations, like Germany and Slovakia, have already proclaimed an outbreak to be an emergency.