The number of sick reports is about a quarter more than in 2018 and 2019, before the corona pandemic. “We see that especially short-term absenteeism, less than a week, and medium-term absenteeism, one to six weeks, is high,” says a spokesperson for Arbo Unie, one of the largest occupational health and safety services in the Netherlands.
Epidemic in full swing
GPs are also noticing that the flu epidemic is in full swing. In the last week of March, a flu virus was found in 59 percent of patients with an acute respiratory infection, according to figures from research institute Nivel.
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The flu epidemic often starts in December or January, now it started in March. According to Nivel, this is probably due to the corona measures, which also prevent the spread of the flu virus. Now that the measures have been released and people have more contact with each other, the risk of respiratory infections such as flu is also increasing.
No catching up
Figures from RIVM, hospitals and laboratories also substantiate the flu wave. “The number of people with flu (influenza) has increased considerably over the past four weeks,” the RIVM said. “These are comparable numbers to before the corona pandemic, but we do not expect any catching up.”
According to the RIVM, you get real flu about once every ten years. “People often confuse the flu with a cold virus. Perhaps many people have forgotten how sick you can get from the flu.”
On average, a flu epidemic lasts about nine weeks or longer. Arbo Unie sees that the number of sick reports with flu-like symptoms is decreasing. “Although that is less strong than in previous years,” a spokesperson said. The number of people with influenza may be falling faster now that the weather is getting nicer, because just like with corona, viruses spread less easily with better weather.
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