Flu epidemic could reach Belgium over the holidays

So far there have been few cases of the flu in Belgium or the Netherlands, but according to the annual Grote Griepmeting (Great Influenza Survey), the countries could be in for a heavier flu season than last winter, reports NieuwsUit.com.

The survey shows that Belgium and the Netherlands may be affected by a severe flu epidemic due to an American virus that threatens to cross over to Europe in the next couple of weeks.

The current flu vaccine available in Belgium does not help against the influenza A/H3N2 virus, which looks just slightly different from the H3N2 strain that researchers are familiar with.

“If this new virus shows up in Europe, the flu could hit here stronger than it has in previous years," warns one of the initiators of the Great Influenza Survey.

It is too early to say whether a flu epidemic will occur in Belgium, but if the American variant arrives in Europe, it is likely that many people will be spending the holidays in bed.