The flu epidemic is taking hold in Belgium, according to the weekly flu bulletin from the public health institute Sciensano on Wednesday. Information confirmed by virologist Marc Van Ranst.
The criteria for what is called an outbreak was met last week.
Thus, one in five patients (22%) who are currently going to the general practitioner for flu-like symptoms are actually suffering from the flu. Sciensano uses this 20% threshold to speak of an influenza epidemic.
The epidemic threshold (53 weekly consultations for an influenza infection per 100,000 inhabitants) has also been crossed with 106 consultations per 100,000 inhabitants.
“The timing is particularly striking“, says Marc Van Ranst. “In 2020, the peak of the epidemic was not recorded until mid-February.“
According to Marc Van Ranst, it is still far too early to say which variant of the flu virus is currently circulating and to know to what extent the vaccine protects once morest it.
