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H3N2 Surge: UK & Spain Hospitals in Crisis
9 Dec
Summary
- Hospital admissions in the UK have surged 56 percent compared to last year.
- Spain declared a flu epidemic with cases surging well before winter.
- New H3N2 strain causes severe symptoms, prompting a return to mask mandates.
Hospitals across the UK and Spain are experiencing significant strain due to a rapid increase in cases of the dangerous H3N2 flu strain. In the UK, hospital admissions have risen by 56 percent compared to the previous year, with 8,000 cases at the seasonal peak. This surge significantly exceeds figures from 2023, indicating a more aggressive influenza season.
Spain has been particularly hard-hit, declaring a flu epidemic weeks earlier than usual. Medical centers, especially in northern regions like Barcelona, are struggling with patient backlogs, forcing individuals to wait in corridors for beds. In response, the Generalitat has reinstated mask mandates in health centers and nursing homes to curb the viral spread.
Health officials worldwide are bracing for a difficult flu season, with similar case increases observed in Germany and the UK. Despite the H3N2 strain's high transmissibility, the existing flu vaccine is reported to offer good protection against circulating variants, and authorities strongly recommend vaccination as the primary defense.
