Since the COVID-19 pandemic, European countries have faced co-circulation of winter viruses, and health systems face a potential “triple threat” of diseases, according to health agencies.
“The health, social and economic impact of winter viruses is enormous,” Antoine Flahault, director of the Institute of Global Health at the University of Geneva, told Euronews Health.
“Severe forms of these infections, even infrequent given the scale of these seasonal epidemics, contribute significantly to the saturation of hospitals during epidemic peaks,” he added.
According to the European Respiratory Virus Surveillance Summary (ERVISS), the number of people seeking medical attention for respiratory illness “remains at expected levels for this time of year” in the European Union and the Economic Area European, with an increase in viral activity in certain countries.
But could there be several simultaneous epidemics This year ?
Rick Malley, senior physician in the division of infectious diseases at Boston Children’s Hospital, US, said it was “a little early to know exactly what this year will look like”, but that the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted usual patterns respiratory illnesses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
“I don’t think there will be a triple epidemic, but it is very possible that there will be RSV, then flu, and that in the middle of those two epidemics there will be a baseline that could rise at some point during the COVID pandemic.
What winter viruses are circulating in EU countries?
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that causes symptoms such as fever or cough and can, in severe cases, lead to death.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it causes seasonal epidemics mainly in winter in temperate climates, while in tropical areas influenza can cause more irregular outbreaks.
At the end of November, influenza was circulating at a low level in EU and EEA countries, but the virus was also increasing in some countries, according to ERVISS data.
Respiratory syncytial virus (VRS) is another winter disease that is spreading in Europe. It is a common virus that causes cold-like symptoms but can be dangerous in infants and the elderly.
This year, an outbreak of RSV appears to have broken out in the EU and EEA, according to health authorities, with an increase in positive tests.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned in its latest report on health threats that “all countries should prepare for a continued increase in RSV activity over the coming weeks.”
Young children are most affected by RSV, but older people are also at risk, according to the ECDC.
The cases of COVID-19meanwhile, declined this fall after a peak in July in EU countries. According to the ECDC, COVID-19 levels were lower or similar to levels recorded at this time of year in 2023.
“COVID is less affected by the seasons than other respiratory viruses, because it circulates all year round in successive waves,” Mr. Flahault said. “It is therefore very likely that one of them coincides with the seasonal epidemic of influenza or bronchiolitis (RSV).”
Malley added that other respiratory viruses are circulating, such as parainfluenza, metapneumovirus or adenoviruses, but that COVID-19, influenza and RSV are getting attention because “they can often be more serious than other viruses and, secondly, we have a combination of vaccines, treatments and antibodies against these viruses.”
The noroviruswhich causes vomiting and diarrhea, is another virus commonly encountered in winter and spring.
Why are there more respiratory illnesses in winter?
According to Mr. Flahault, the mode of transmission of these viruses in cramped, crowded and poorly ventilated environments can explain why they circulate more in winter.
“We spend more time indoors, we open windows less often,” he said, adding that decreasing UV light outside, using central heating and increasing Air pollution could also be factors.
Better microbiological quality of indoor air and the wearing of FFP2 masks in cases of poor air quality could also help prevent “the circulation of all respiratory microbial agents” such as COVID-19, influenza, RSV, chickenpox, measles, whooping cough and tuberculosis, added Mr. Flahault.
How to protect yourself from winter illnesses?
“The vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect the most vulnerable members of our society from serious illness, hospitalization and death,” said Piotr Kramarz, chief scientist at ECDC, in a statement sent by email to Euronews Health.
“Given that many countries are still far from ensuring adequate protection of target groups, it is essential to increase vaccination rates against seasonal flu and COVID-19 while the winter season has already begun,” said added Mr. Kramarz.
The ECDC also recommends stay home if you have symptoms respiratory disease, wash your hands frequently andventilate interior spaces.
“The sad truth is that COVID has just reminded us of the importance of simple measures that could actually reduce the risk of transmission to susceptible or vulnerable people,” said Malley, of Boston Children’s Hospital. .
“It goes without saying that good hand hygiene is very important, as is prioritizing outdoor activities when ill and avoiding being around vulnerable people.
WHO Europe also recommends wearing a mask in certain situationsfor example if there is a risk of severe COVID-19, to protect others in poorly ventilated spaces or if you suspect you have COVID-19.
