In a heartbreaking incident this past weekend, a five-year-old girl with pre-existing health issues tragically lost her life at Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba due to severe complications from the flu. This marks a grim period, as the past two weeks have seen the deaths of two more young girls—a 13-year-old from Elad and an 18-year-old from Jerusalem—as a vicious flu outbreak sweeps through the region.

Hospitals across the country are at maximum capacity, grappling with an unprecedented wave of influenza and respiratory illnesses. The young girl was admitted to Meir Hospital in critical condition, suffering from multisystem failure exacerbated by flu-related infections. Despite intensive resuscitation efforts in the pediatric intensive care unit, her condition rapidly declined, resulting in her untimely death.

The Health Ministry's data have raised alarms as the referral rate for flu-like symptoms continues to rise significantly, with levels now surpassing epidemic thresholds. This surge affects all age groups, and there’s a documented increase in pneumonia and other severe respiratory infections.

Internal medicine departments are overwhelmed, with occupancy rates exceeding 100% in many hospitals, forcing medical staff to accommodate patients in hallways. At Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, rates reach alarming levels of 120-130%. "People may underestimate the flu, viewing it as a mild illness, yet it can be devastating, especially for those with compromised immune systems," states Prof. Alon Hershko, head of the Internal Medicine Department at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center.

The impact of the flu is not confined to the elderly. For instance, one family shared their ordeal: after a father contracted the virus from a colleague, the entire household suffered from debilitating symptoms, including high fevers and persistent coughs, rendering them bedridden for over a week.

Health officials report that the current flu season is largely driven by Influenza Type B, which accounts for about 80% of cases. Notably, while the predominant flu strain circulating in the general community is milder, the strain infecting hospitalized patients tends to be Influenza Type A, known for its severity. Dr. Ian Miskin, a family medicine and infectious disease specialist, explains that young children may be particularly susceptible to the less common B strain due to a lack of previous exposure, while adults may be more affected by the traditional flu strain.

Another concerning factor contributing to the health crisis is the low vaccination rate against the flu this year. As of late December, only 1.4 million people have received the flu vaccine, sharply down from 2.25 million in the winter of 2019. Dr. Miskin condemned this as irresponsible, emphasizing that the flu vaccine has a long-standing record of safety and effectiveness.

"The flu can lead to severe complications, including respiratory failure, and it is critical that those eligible get vaccinated immediately. Additionally, anyone exhibiting symptoms should refrain from public interactions to prevent further spread, especially on public transport, where masks and open windows can help mitigate transmission," he advised.

Encouragingly, health tests are confirming that most flu cases currently circulating are not associated with COVID-19. Approximately 160 patients with COVID are currently hospitalized, showing that the two illnesses are contending with the healthcare system simultaneously.

This alarming flu epidemic is not isolated to Israel. According to a recent report by the World Health Organization, flu activity in the Northern Hemisphere has reached high levels, with a significant rise in cases noted in both the United States and Europe. The CDC reported that flu positivity rates have surged from 12% to 19%, amid a simultaneous increase in COVID cases.

European hospitals are similarly overwhelmed, facing a spike in flu cases, particularly among children under 15 and adults over 60, with different countries like Hungary, France, and Spain struggling to cope. In Britain, health services warn that the current surge could make this winter one of the worst flu seasons in recent memory, with hospitalizations quadrupling in December alone.

Meanwhile, as the number of cases rises globally, the WHO reports high COVID infection rates in various countries across South America, Europe, and Southeast Asia, with the Omicron variant remaining the most common strain. The medical community is bracing itself for what lies ahead as flu and other respiratory illnesses continue to wreak havoc this season.