The common flu never got off the ground this year. There are also very few reported cases of bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia in Belgium, according to our colleagues at RTL.be.
Marie Jossart, a Belgian paediatrician, explains how, contrary to expectations, the situation regarding these illnesses is extremely calm. Usually, winter is very challenging, but not this year. Paediatrics departments are uncharacteristically empty, which is unheard of, according to Mme Jossart.
There are several reasons behind their unexpected absence:
- social-distancing measures and face coverings slow the spread of Covid-19 and other infections in the process
- vaccination: many more people than usually chose to be vaccinated against the flu. However, this only partly explains the low level of respiratory illnesses, as the effects of vaccinations usually appear at a later stage in the year.
- the lockdown: very few people travelled and thus were able to spread the virus.
- few or no cases of the flu during southern winter in Australia and New Zealand. There is no flu outbreak in the United States, either.
Between 500,000 and 900,000 Belgians – 2% and 8% of the population - contract the common flu each year. This year, those numbers will not be reached. Indeed, it is expected this year will have a record of low cases.
However, Isabelle Thomas of the National Flu Centre warns that, after a year of no or barely any flu cases, the flu will pick up steam in the years to come, with more cases expected. This is due to fewer people having contracted the disease, which means fewer will be immune to a new wave.
