Winter of Change: The Shift From COVID-19 to Influenza Dominance
Since the novel coronavirus spread across the globe, the world has endured harsh winter waves. However, this season appears to be different.
According to the American newspaper “The Washington Post,” the usual increase in COVID-19 cases “has been quieter this winter and seems to have peaked,” adding that the virus “is less prevalent in wastewater compared to last winter, and hospital admission rates have decreased.”
Instead, an unusual mix of diseases has emerged this season – pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus, norovirus, and avian influenza – alongside the more common adversary: influenza, which is garnering more attention than COVID this time due to hospital admission rates being three times higher in the United States.
Experts note that winter provides conducive conditions for the spread of airborne viruses.
Last week, Demetre Daskalakis, an official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated, “Currently, influenza is the driver. It’s clear we respect COVID-19 well because things can change, but right now, it’s not the dominant player.”
“The Washington Post” also mentioned that public health experts are particularly concerned
about influenza this year due to rising concerns about the H5N1 strain of bird flu.
It pointed out that most influenza tests cannot differentiate between this strain and seasonal flu,
meaning cases of bird flu might go undetected. It further added, “If someone is infected with both
seasonal flu and H5N1 at the same time, the viruses can exchange genetic material to create a
new virus that could spread more easily among humans.”
Health experts emphasize that the advice remains the same as in previous winters: “It’s not too
late to get the flu or COVID vaccine… Staying home when sick is important. And regular hand
washing is necessary.”
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