flu

the flu marks 15-year highs in Catalonia and the worst is still ahead

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Spain is experiencing a great flu epidemic right now, with a large number of infections expected to arrive to its maximum peak at Christmas itself. The problem is that at the moment the ascending phase does not stop increasing, causing the flu curve to have an insane growth, being able to affirm that we are facing a historic epidemic and that the truth reminds us a lot of the wave we experienced during covid. Although above all it has targeted some communities. A localized anomaly. As the Ministry of Health points out, this epidemic does not stop increasing in our country on a national scale, but above all it has hit the most populated communities in our entire geography. Today, flu cases are estimated in an incident of 170 cases per 100,000 inhabitants nationwide. But some autonomous communities are seeing a greater impact with historic rates, as is the case, for example, in Catalonia or Madrid. Something that strains health services and forces measures to be taken, such as need to wear a mask in certain locations. An unprecedented epidemic. This is the case of Catalonia, where the graphs already point to a flu epidemic that is the worst in the last 15 years, with a graph that can undoubtedly be scary due to how sharp its escalation is. In this way, this clashes between the local situation in the autonomous community and the national paradigm where the ceiling has not yet been reached. The data published by the Catalan epidemiological service confirms a statistical anomaly in the week of December 1 to 7, since they suggest that The barrier of 300 diagnoses has been broken for every 100,000 inhabitants in primary care, with a weekly increase of more than 100%. It is something so intense that some experts they point because until the end of the year very intense days are expected in Primary Care and ‘wild’ guards in the Emergency Room. But some of them already point out that “and“This flu curve is insane.” The same in Madrid. Another quite worrying situation where cases reach 275 per 100,000 inhabitants, making it much higher than what has been seen in previous seasons, which also marks an unprecedented fact and which already forces vaccination campaigns to be intensified. ‘Zoom out’ from Spain. If one looks up from the Catalan and Madrid map and looks at the consolidated data from the Ministry of Health and the ISCIII for all of Spainthe film changes genre. It is not a disaster movie, but a thriller that is picking up pace. At the national level, this epidemic has been characterized by a significant advance in the epidemic wave, since at the beginning of December there was already an infection rate of 70-80 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. But despite this fact, national surveillance reports continue to increase to an overall ‘low’ or ‘moderate’ intensity. The measures that have been taken. At the national level, the autonomous communities managed to reach an almost historic agreement: recommending the use of masks in health centers. But Catalonia, with a historic epidemic, has had to take other measures such as is wearing the mask mandatory (something that also Murcia has approved) in health centers. Although, it is ruled out in other areas such as public transport. Primary care. One of the most affected by this epidemic, which has numbers of such magnitude from counting the cases at the primary care level. This contrasts with the data used by national surveillance organizations, which weight hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths much more. Something that is not happening critically, waiting for the peak of the epidemic to arrive. Images | Towfiqu barbhuiya In Xataka | Spain has spent years vaccinating only the elderly during flu seasons. Now he has decided to change it

This is the flu that is already an epidemic in Spain

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The end of the year is undoubtedly the classic time to have a cold or a bad flu due to the drop in temperatures what causes a lowering of defenseswhich is used by viruses to sneak into all citizens. This gives us the feeling that now everyone has a cold, but the reality is that Spain has officially entered an epidemic of flu. There are reasons. And it is not a general feeling, but rather data from the Carlos III Health Institute confirms that the situation is radically different from that experienced last year. The wave of cases has started earlier, hits harder and brings with it a genetic novelty: the K variant. Tripling figures. The most striking thing about the latest report of the Acute Respiratory Infection Surveillance System (SiVIRA) is not only that cases are increasing, but also the vertical speed at which they do so. In the week of November 17 to 23the incidence in Primary Care reached 112.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, strongly breaking the baseline threshold established at 37 cases. To put it in context: in the same period of 2024, the incidence was only 12.8 cases. We are facing a scenario that practically triples the intensity at the beginning of the season compared to the previous year. This is also added to a positivity rate in which the tests carried out are already close to 20%, which indicates that out of every five people who come with symptoms, one has confirmed flu. A biological factor. Unlike previous seasons where the flu virus of the subtype reigned H1N1this year we are seeing a changing of the guard: the virus dominant is H3N2. And although it may seem somewhat minor, the reality is that the population has lower immunity against this subtype, since the body has not come into contact with it as frequently. Added to this is the ECDC alert (European Center for Disease Control): The virus is not exactly the same as we knew. A mutation has been detected that has given rise to a new subclade, called Variant K. What does variant K imply? Viruses mutate quite frequently, which is one of the reasons why a person who has been vaccinated can develop the disease. This is why this K variant can better evade the body’s defenses and nest more frequently. But it does not indicate that it is more or less serious (as when we talked about COVID), but yes it is more contagious due to this immune evasion and that could explain the increase in cases in the general population. Some vaccines… What don’t work? In recent weeks we have seen awareness campaigns for the vaccination of risk groups against the flu. But surely those who have been vaccinated are seeing how they are contagious and this raises many doubts about the usefulness of vaccines. But to do this, you must understand that flu vaccination is done for a very specific type that is expected to be the majority of the season. The problem, like this, is that in the end the virus ‘surprises us’ with a mutation that ruins all our predictions, making the vaccines not as effective as we expected. Although it can also reduce the intensity of the symptoms. The demographic map. The current epidemic that Spain is experiencing offers us a very clear photo of how it is moving. The citizens who are being infected the most right now are the smallest, that is, children from 1 to 4 years. These present a shooting rate of 428.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. A group that is the most affected, although also conditioned because parents go to the pediatrician at the slightest symptom, guaranteeing better case control. But the real problem is in the hospital impact. Although right now we are not in saturation at the national level, in regions like Madrid Hospitalizations of people over 80 years of age have doubled in one week, going from 9.43 to 20.44 cases. A worrying fact in this case is the increase in cases of the most common complication: pneumonia. In this way, the transmission vector is being the smallest, but the most affected are still the older people for whom the flu is a big problem. Even if they have been vaccinated. The forecast. The increase in flu cases It has been advanced between 3 and 4 weeks compared to what we would expect in other years. In this way, if we normally expected the peak of infections at the end of January or beginning of February, this year everything is going to change radically. In the case of Catalonia, the peak of cases is expected to occur between the second and third week of December, while other communities expect it during the Christmas holidays driven by family gatherings. In this way, as a positive point, whoever passes this flu first can avoid suffering its annoying symptoms in the middle of the Christmas holidays. Use of the mask. We already know one of the systems to avoid contagion: the use of a mask. Last year there was great chaos to reach an agreement and impose its use, and this year it seems that a very similar scenario will follow. There are already regions like Galicia and Aragón that have made a move recommending or imposing the use of masks in health centers and anticipating emergency saturation. And it makes a lot of sense that if we go to a health center we avoid infecting the people who are there, since they are probably older or immunocompromised and this can lead to a worsening of the disease. Images | Towfiqu barbhuiya Matteo Fusco In Xataka | H5N1 bird flu unleashes a massacre in Antarctica: half of the female seals have already disappeared

Putting four chickens in the yard seemed like a good idea to have cheap eggs. Bird flu just changed the rules of the game

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From November 13, 2025, there is no poultry farm in the country that can be outdoors. With mass confinement, the Government wants to contain the spread of the H5N1 bird flu. And it makes sense: so far this season, 14 outbreaks have already been recorded in poultry, several in captive birds and dozens in wild birds. The problem is everything that falls under the radar. “What do I do with my chickens?” In Spain, at least from 2024, all chickens must be registered. And yes, that includes ‘self-consumption’ chickens; some animals that, according to the data, they represent only 0.77% of the census (but all experts know there are many more). A report from El País from the spring of this year confirmed that “the figures do not reflect reality and that a large part of self-consumers have birds (especially the ISA Brown species) without census.” This has meant that in a context in which self-consumption does not have inspections (and lives unaware of animal health regulation), the doubts and risks have grown exponentially. As Cristina García Casado explained in InfoLibrethe question most frequently asked by veterinarians across the country is “what do I do with my chickens?” And the answer is very simple: confine them. Because the regulations do not understand sizes: a backyard chicken infected by contact with a wild bird can be just as big a problem as any other type of chicken. Or maybe more. After all, the European authorities they continue to qualify the risk to the general population as low; but they raise it to low-moderate for people in direct contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. Having unmonitored poultry increases the risk to the “civilian” population and if we are realistic we will recognize that they cannot be monitored. The problem has names and surnames: at least when it comes to the flu, all those domestic pens have the same sanitary requirements, but much less infrastructure. The ‘boom’ of homemade eggs. We must remember that this does not happen in a vacuum. The truth is that in recent years we have lived a real ‘boom’ in self-consumption chickens. It is the confluence of the “happy chickens” movements with the response of many citizens to a price that does nothing but go up. According to the National Institute of Statistics, have gone up 15.9% so far this year and, according to the OCUthe growth has been 105% compared to 2021. And, be careful, we are not talking about a luxury product. We are talking about what may be one of the proteins cheaper and more accessible of the world. Faced with this ‘ovoflation’, the accounts are clear: “a hen costs about nine euros, it is easy to raise and maintain with fruit, vegetables and feed, and it lays an egg every 25 hours.” How can there not be a problem? What to do if I have a chicken coop for self-consumption? If we are in that situation (or are thinking about setting up our own domestic corral) there are some things to keep in mind: Whether larger or smaller, the corral must be registered in the REGA (General Registry of Livestock Operations). Implement confinement and biosecurity measures: separate chickens from any contact with wild birds; control inputs and outputs; record all changes in a log book. Improve cleaning conditions, more frequent bed renewal and tightening daily management protocols. Introduce wellness programs to contain the problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle. But, above all, be extremely vigilant. There are many warning signs (apathy, drop in production, high mortality or flu symptoms). Therefore, it is best to be alert. Anything can happen. Image | Finn Mund In Xataka | H5N1 bird flu unleashes a massacre in Antarctica: half of the female seals have already disappeared

3 foods that will help you fight the flu

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In the middle of winter the flu symptoms that can be combated by adding a variety of superfoods to the diet to strengthen the immune system due to its rich content of nutrients and antioxidants. Turmeric, ginger and citrus stand out for containing bioactive compounds, according to science. Health expert Dr. Sham Singh andexplains to Express the benefits of these superfoods, supported by a study carried out by experts from the company Wren Kitchens that accounts for the healing profile because they contain vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds, It is not surprising that the three ingredients have been commonly used as a home remedy since ancient times to relieve respiratory infections, coughs and the characteristic discomfort of the flu. The recommendation of specialists is to first resort to medical advice and consume foods that help strengthen the immune system. Foods that you can include in your diet to combat the flu Turmeric The composition of turmeric contributes to raising defenses.Credit: Shutterstock Turmeric is a deep yellow spice with an active component called curcumin, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help fight inflammation in the body, which is a factor that generates diseases, since it weakens immune responses, explains Sham Singh. This spice is the ingredient in culinary recipes such as rice, stews, sauces and home remedies; as well as infusions and drinks, which is why it is highly appreciated for its delicious flavor and properties. Including turmeric in your daily diet is a simple way to take advantage of its multiple benefits, says Singh. “Curcumin, the main curcuminoid compound found in turmeric, has been shown to have broad activity as an antimicrobial agent, limiting the replication of many different fungi, bacteria and viruses,” reveals research from the Regenerative Medicine Program of the Research Institute of the Ottawa Hospital published by the specialized magazine Viruses. Ginger Ginger Credit: Shutterstock Ginger is a root considered a superfood that is part of botany. Its use dates back to ancient times for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger is one of the most used ingredients in infusions for relieve infections, sore throat and cough. It has a strong anti-inflammatory activity due to the antioxidants it contains that combat cellular damage caused by free radicals. An investigation of Frontierspoints out that “the raw ginger extract has biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and anticancer properties.” Due to its versatility, ginger, in addition to being consumed in infusions, is also It is used for culinary recipes, especially for colder early ones like autumn and winter. Citrus Citrus fruits are a source of vitamin C.Credit: Shutterstock Because they are rich in vitamin C, citrus fruits, such as lemons, oranges and tangerines, are part of the superfoods recommended by Dr. Singh. The consumption of vitamin C helps prevent infections, reduce the severity of flu and cold symptoms, reveals the researcher. Citrus fruits are used in juices, infusions, salads, desserts and can be eaten as fresh fruit after meals or as snacks. Keep reading: –The superfood to eat at night to lose weight–The best combinations for ginger infusion–What are the benefits of drinking turmeric with lemon?–Take advantage of the healing effects of turmeric by avoiding these three mistakes–Natural cleansing lemon: rich in antioxidants and with anti-inflammatory properties–The pros and cons of drinking lemon water on an empty stomach daily

We believed that what we learned from the coronavirus would help us better resist other epidemics. The flu shows us that

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Five years have passed since the beginning of the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, the Covid-19 virus. In those first months, some wondered what lessons we could learn of past epidemics, such as the “Spanish flu” of 1919 that we could apply to the new epidemic. The question now is another, the opposite, we could say: what can we learn from the pandemic that will help us with epidemics such as the seasonal flu. And above all, why It seems that we have not learned these lessons still. Although the fight against Covid brought with it extreme measures such as confinement, measures that are neither necessary nor implementable in epidemics like the one we see every winter associated with any of the flu viruses, it is possible to look back to find measures that we can put into practice, especially if we present symptoms associated with the flu or a cold. Perhaps the first lesson that Covid taught us regarding the flu is that it is possible to stop the transmission of this virus: the winter between 2020 and 2021 was the winter without flu: the measures to keep the spread of the coronavirus at bay made the incidence of the flu would fade away. This had another impact: the disappearance of a strain of the virus, the one called B/Yamagata. The extinction of this influenza B lineage It is still shrouded in a certain mystery, but what we do know is that since 2020 there has been no news about this strain. But the pandemic too he left us lessons that we can apply, if not in our daily winter life, at least when we notice the appearance of symptoms that we associate with flu or colds (similar but not identical), such as general malaise, runny nose, irritation of the respiratory tract or fever . The pandemic encouraged the study of the transmission of respiratory viruses, of how aerosols containing these pathogens travel through the air. Some of this knowledge can be useful to experts, being extrapolated to other similar viruses, such as the coronaviruses that cause some of the typical colds of these dates and the flu itself. Keeping distance is one of the advice that health authorities give to those who present these symptoms, something that can undoubtedly remind us of social distancing of the pandemic. The transmission of respiratory viruses is usually similar, and in these cases, keeping a certain distance from the other person can be helpful in preventing contagion. Another recommendation that we can find in the guides is to properly ventilate the spaces. Whether in our home, offices or on public transport, adequate ventilation can also hold the key to avoiding new infections. Of course, masks provide a physical barrier to the spread of the virus. Although health authorities recommend resting and avoiding going outside when we suffer from diseases such as the flu, masks can be of great help in cases where that option is not available. Another useful lesson is in testing. Rapid Coronavirus tests were of great help in keeping the spread of the virus at bay and some tests soon incorporated the possibility of looking for the presence of other pathogens, such as the flu. During the pandemic we became familiar with this type of rapid tests, now a lot cheaper and more affordable that five years ago. However, its current use may not be as widespread as might be expected in the context of seasonal influenza epidemics. Similarly, the pandemic enabled new advances in vaccine development, but also laid the foundation for more efficient vaccination campaigns. Also what has been learned by scientists and authorities may be of help when dealing with annual flu outbreaks. Forgetting what was learned And why do we forget these lessons? Forget it’s part of our natureit may even make sense in many contexts, including Covid. Forgetting can make work easier of our brain, but it is also important for our mental health. The process of forgetting is very visual: we associate the Covid era with images such as masks or empty streets. The memory of masks (or forgetting them) may be especially relevant precisely because it is an element that can make it difficult to spread the flu and other diseases of the respiratory system. The lessons not only can they be valid when considering strategies to deal with seasonal flu. In recent years we have witnessed various bird flu outbreakswith the active outbreak in the United States among the most worrying. The virus has reached numerous people and, although so far no infections have been detected among humans, a few weeks ago the first person died as a result of the outbreak. The ramifications of this outbreak have been significant. The outbreak has not only affected wild and poultry birds, it has also affected cattle and cases have even been detected in the country’s pigs. In recent weeks we saw that the virus was circulating again among poultry in Europe, so the possibility of this zoonosis continuing to spread is not negligible. In Xataka | Thousands of people have survived without suffering from Covid. Now they are helping us learn more about the disease Image | Anna Shvets / CDC

US grants almost $600 million to Moderna to “accelerate” bird flu vaccine trials

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The United States government has allocated a significant investment of almost $600 million to the biopharmaceutical company Moderna to accelerate the development of vaccines based on messenger RNA (mRNA) against avian flu, with special emphasis on flu strains that could become a pandemic threat. This financial support is part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) ongoing efforts to anticipate and mitigate the risk of future public health crises, such as those caused by highly contagious and dangerous influenza viruses. Since 2023, Moderna has been working closely with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), an HHS entity, to develop mRNA vaccines. that can be used in the event that new strains of influenza emerge with the potential to become pandemics. This effort includes not only the research and development of vaccines against the H5N1 strain of bird flu, but also against other variants that could represent a danger to global health. In 2023, Moderna had already received $176 million as part of this initiative, and with the recent allocation of funds, the company will be able to accelerate its work and move more quickly toward creating an effective vaccine. One of Moderna’s key advances in this project is its mRNA-1018 vaccine, which is designed to combat the H5 and H7 bird flu viruses. This vaccine has demonstrated “positive preliminary data” in Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, leading to optimism about its effectiveness in combating these dangerous strains. With additional funding provided by the US government, Moderna is in the preparation phase of launching a Phase 3 study of this vaccine, a crucial step towards its possible distribution in the event of a massive outbreak of bird flu. Face future threats The company intends to share findings from these trials at an upcoming medical conference, which could offer more insight into the vaccine’s potential to address future viral threats. The recent HHS funding will also allow Moderna to accelerate research and development of a vaccine against the H7N9 strain of bird flu, another variant that has concerned health authorities due to its ability to infect humans. Public health officials have noted that the speed with which new flu strains emerge and spread necessitates an innovative and flexible approach to vaccine development. In this regard, the US government’s financial support is designed to expand Moderna’s clinical trials, enabling the evaluation of multiple vaccines and increasing the database supporting the use of mRNA technology in these contexts. In addition to ongoing work with the H5N1 and H7N9 strains, HHS has expressed interest in having Moderna design up to four new vaccines against different flu strains that can be evaluated in Phase 1 studies. The goal of this initiative is to generate clinical data that supports the accelerated development of mRNA vaccines, that would be essential to contain future outbreaks of avian flu or any other influenza strain with pandemic potential. As flu viruses continue to mutate, the ability to quickly adapt to new variants will be key to preventing a global pandemic. Keep reading:

First death from bird flu confirmed in the United States

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Bird flu claimed its first life in the United States, as confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The victim, a Louisiana resident over the age of 65 with pre-existing medical problems, He contracted the virus after coming into contact with sick birds in a home chicken coop. Genetic analyzes of the virus suggest that it mutated within the patient, probably aggravating his illness. This case is part of the 66 infections confirmed cases of avian flu in humans in the country since last March, although the previous symptoms were mild and occurred mainly in agricultural workers exposed to infected birds. Bird flu: A historically lethal virus The H5N1 bird flu virus is not new on the health radar. Since 2003, it has caused more than 460 deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University, highlighted the seriousness of the virus and called the death a “tragic reminder” of its lethality. In a recent case, a Canadian teenager became seriously ill after contracting H5N1, reinforcing uncertainty about the factors that cause severe illness in some patients and mild illness in others. Nuzzo warned that the current mild cases do not guarantee the same trend in the future. We can contract the bird flu virus if we are in contact with birds infected with it. (Photo: CDC/NIAID/AP) Despite the death, the CDC emphasized that There is no evidence of significant mutations that increase the risk of transmission between humans. Additionally, authorities have found no signs that the virus is spreading from person to person. However, 2 recent cases in Missouri and California, whose source of infection remains unclear, maintain active surveillance. H5N1 continues to spread widely among wild birds, poultry, and other animals, increasing the likelihood of human exposure. The case in Louisiana marks the first infection in the US associated with a domestic farm, according to the CDC. Given this panorama, the authorities reiterate the importance of following protective measures. Those handling sick or dead birds should wear protective equipment, such as gloves, goggles, and masks. These precautions not only reduce the risk of infection, but also help slow the spread of the virus. Although the risk of sustained human-to-human transmission remains low, there is a need for constant surveillance. The virus has proven to be a persistent and lethal threat, and its growing presence in the environment requires a coordinated response between health authorities and the public. Keep reading: * Agriculture Department Orders Federal Bird Flu Testing of Milk* Four Colorado poultry workers diagnosed with bird flu* Bird flu exposed: 5 keys to understanding its global reach

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