The pandemic and its resultant lockdowns and limited travelling meant that common respiratory viruses like the influenza (flu) largely disappeared, although Covid-19 still spread. But now that restrictions have been lifted and socialization has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, it is unclear how the flu will play out this winter. But some scientists fear that judging by the cases recorded in Australia in their winter, this year’s flu season could be harsh, according to CBC News.
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Worst flu
Australia’s medical community has described this year’s flu season as the worst in five years – winter typically lasts between April and October in Australia. Available figures show that there has been an increase in cases, three times more than the average for the period, according to CNN. The official government surveillance reports from New Zealand also point to a spike in flu-like illnesses compared to the last two years.
Dr. Michael Gardam, an infectious diseases specialist and CEO of PEI Health told CBC News it is quite difficult to predict what winter might look like in terms of flu infections in the Northern Hemisphere this year solely based on reports from Australia and New Zealand.
Australia is having a real challenge [with flu] but we know at the same they're having a challenge with a lot of COVID and so it's just hard to tease out what's what.
Should you be concerned?
In the US, the government is predicting a peak in Covid-19 cases in early December alongside an anticipated spike in flu and flu-like infections. If these modellings are anything to go by, many countries will have to contend with Covid-19 and the flu at the same time, a situation that could put more strain on already stretched health infrastructure.
Dr. Jennifer Nayak, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Rochester Medical Center told CNN:
With these few mild flu seasons back-to-back, I think immunity in the population is probably lower than what it is entering an average flu season
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