Superflu spreads across Europe: UK hospitals declare critical incidents and schools shut, cases surge in France and demand for face mask and medicine skyrockets in Spain

 

A 'superflu' outbreak has led to critical incidents in UK's hospitals and some school closures, with the virus now spreading to Europe. Health officials warn this could be Britain’s worst flu season, with significant case rises in France and increased demand for masks and medicine in Spain. NHS Providers CEO, Daniel Elkeles, urges the public to wear face masks on public transport and in offices if experiencing symptoms but still able to work.

 

The influenza A(H3N2) strain, also known as 'superflu', is leading to early and severe outbreaks. Officials are recommending a return to pandemic-era habits including mask-wearing to reduce transmission. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch advised a common-sense approach, expressing concerns about mandatory mask use potentially hindering social interaction.

 

Schools like St Martin’s in South Wales have seen significant outbreaks, resulting in temporary closures for deep cleaning. The Department for Education insists closures should only occur in extreme circumstances, emphasizing the importance of maintaining attendance for children's education and wellbeing. The UK government has emphasized vaccination as the best defense, citing high flu jab uptake.

 

Hospitals like University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust have declared critical incidents due to overwhelming flu cases, causing extreme pressures on emergency services. Patients are urged to use A&E only for life-threatening situations, as winter flu levels reach unprecedented highs.

As similar measures are adopted in Europe, the UK and other countries are ramping up vaccination efforts and considering public health guidance to limit the outbreak's impact. Public Health Wales expressed support for schools' proactive measures to temporarily close and clean facilities.

 

 

Key Takeaways

• The severe flu outbreak in the UK prompts hospital incidents and school closures, spreading to Europe.
• Health officials recommend masks and vaccines; debates continue over mandates versus personal choice.
• European nations are observing the UK's response as cases rise continent-wide.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from  Mail Online 2025-11-22

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good to see Brexit didn't stop all the exports. 

I was infected with Type A Influenza in late October by a person who brought the flu up from Australia. I suspect it was this same super flu. All I can say is I've never been so sick in my life before, an utterly terrible virus, way worse than covid, which I caught in Thailand in 2022. Covid was over in one week, this damn flu took 5 weeks. I'm only now returning to my normal fitness level. If you come across anyone with cold/flu symptoms get away pronto. You do not want to catch this one.

6 minutes ago, grain said:

I was infected with Type A Influenza in late October by a person who brought the flu up from Australia. I suspect it was this same super flu. All I can say is I've never been so sick in my life before, an utterly terrible virus, way worse than covid, which I caught in Thailand in 2022. Covid was over in one week, this damn flu took 5 weeks. I'm only now returning to my normal fitness level. If you come across anyone with cold/flu symptoms get away pronto. You do not want to catch this one.

 

I think many people are either very lucky when they catch the flu and are only ill for say five days........or more likely it wasn't the flu.

 

I've think I've only had it once at 16. Like you, I was ill for a month.....a long, very miserable, fever filled month.

Folks, just go for a flu vaccine. If you are in North America or Europe, it is advisable to get one done in September or October every year. Not sure when the best month would be for Thailand. This is especially important for those over 50 (some say, over 60). The vaccine of course doesn't guarantee that one doesn't get the virus, but it helps one to have the flu relatively lightly or maybe even totally or almost symptomless. 

 

I know that some of the anti-vaccine folks might put a 'laughing' emoji underneath, but whatever. For example, during Covid, I have always been pro-vaccine and mostly pro-mask, but also, I have been mostly anti-lockdown/anti-curfew etc.  and I still stand behind these thoughts.

 

 

7 hours ago, JemJem said:

Folks, just go for a flu vaccine. If you are in North America or Europe, it is advisable to get one done in September or October every year. Not sure when the best month would be for Thailand. This is especially important for those over 50 (some say, over 60). The vaccine of course doesn't guarantee that one doesn't get the virus, but it helps one to have the flu relatively lightly or maybe even totally or almost symptomless. 

 

I know that some of the anti-vaccine folks might put a 'laughing' emoji underneath, but whatever. For example, during Covid, I have always been pro-vaccine and mostly pro-mask, but also, I have been mostly anti-lockdown/anti-curfew etc.  and I still stand behind these thoughts.

 

 

 

Sensible posting. You can get a vaccine at any time, including having flu and covid shots at the same time (but not with RSV). The virus isn't season, human behaviour is.

 

There is also small print with some travel insurance policies; some will annul your policy if you are offered a vaccine and decline. That includes if you are in an eligible group for free vaccination but don't bother taking it up.

And here if you have a kid at school you will have permanent flu 🤔

On 12/10/2025 at 11:42 AM, CharlieH said:

As similar measures are adopted in Europe, the UK and other countries are ramping up vaccination efforts

 

Not meaning this to be too much of a pointed question, does this year's flu vaccine address this strain? 

 

In fairness, logistics and leadtime force them to make an educated guess every year.  Some years, they do better than others.

14 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Not meaning this to be too much of a pointed question, does this year's flu vaccine address this strain? 

 

In fairness, logistics and leadtime force them to make an educated guess every year.  Some years, they do better than others.

 

No it doesn't, I was reading about this a few weeks ago, H3N2 was mutated and discovered around June from what I remember, the seasonal flu for this year is always developed in January....

 

But I remember reading that although H3N2 spreads pretty easily it has very different symptoms than normal flu, sore throat and headache, but not high fever, and not too bad, just high infectious rate..., let's hope they were right about severity ...! 🤔

And now the annual European invasion of Thailand is under way, all in Thailand are at risk.

13 hours ago, JemJem said:

Folks, just go for a flu vaccine. If you are in North America or Europe, it is advisable to get one done in September or October every year. Not sure when the best month would be for Thailand. This is especially important for those over 50 (some say, over 60). The vaccine of course doesn't guarantee that one doesn't get the virus, but it helps one to have the flu relatively lightly or maybe even totally or almost symptomless. 

 

I know that some of the anti-vaccine folks might put a 'laughing' emoji underneath, but whatever. For example, during Covid, I have always been pro-vaccine and mostly pro-mask, but also, I have been mostly anti-lockdown/anti-curfew etc.  and I still stand behind these thoughts.

 

 

What's wrong with the Poms.Why don't they get the flue shot ? ? . Is  it the cost? In Australia it is totally free for everyone and I get one before winter February / March . Been getting them for 40 years and only a mild cold some years  thats all. Especialy important for whose work puts them in front of the public should get one.

9 minutes ago, wavodavo said:

What's wrong with the Poms.Why don't they get the flue shot ? ? . Is  it the cost? In Australia it is totally free for everyone and I get one before winter February / March . Been getting them for 40 years and only a mild cold some years  thats all. Especialy important for whose work puts them in front of the public should get one.

It's because .....

1. The shot doesn't work

2. The flu ain't that dangerous.

3. Vaccines have dangerous side effects

13 minutes ago, wavodavo said:

What's wrong with the Poms.Why don't they get the flue shot ? ? . Is  it the cost? In Australia it is totally free for everyone and I get one before winter February / March . Been getting them for 40 years and only a mild cold some years  thats all. Especialy important for whose work puts them in front of the public should get one.

 

I've gotten exactly one flu shot in my 68 years and I got the flu just as bad that year as any other years that I ever got the flu.  Which is to say, it was a minor inconvenience for a couple of days.

 

BTW,  I wouldn't bother getting it this year, because (as Agusts stated above), it's a new strain and this year's formulation isn't tailored to it.

 

YMMV. 

 

On 12/9/2025 at 8:29 PM, grain said:

I was infected with Type A Influenza in late October by a person who brought the flu up from Australia. I suspect it was this same super flu. All I can say is I've never been so sick in my life before, an utterly terrible virus, way worse than covid, which I caught in Thailand in 2022. Covid was over in one week, this damn flu took 5 weeks. I'm only now returning to my normal fitness level. If you come across anyone with cold/flu symptoms get away pronto. You do not want to catch this one.

 

it might just be the side effects of that marvelous poison  called "vaccines".

20 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

It's because .....

1. The shot doesn't work

2. The flu ain't that dangerous.

3. Vaccines have dangerous side effects

Righty-O Doctor.

10 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Righty-O Doctor.

COVID seems to have cured me of the flu anyway.

2020-2022 COVID x3 despite 2x vaccine.

2022-2025 no cold, no flu, no COVID ...... and no vaccinations.

8 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

It's because .....

1. The shot doesn't work

2. The flu ain't that dangerous.

3. Vaccines have dangerous side effects

Btit man , I always thought you were smarter than that.Total Bolla Bolla your reply was ...( 1 ) the shot doesn't work..maybe not for some people but it would be a small number There many medications that don't work for some people . (3 ) side effects ,, again some people have reactions to certain drugs and you don't know until you try it but   every year thousands of people die  from the flu  mainly the elderly who have other underlying condtions and the flu finishes them off.  Before I started to get the shots I had such a bad case of the flu couldn't get out of bed for a month. My sister in law used to bring food around for me but I really thought I was gonna die . So for me the vaccinations work. Are you a fan of RFK by any chance.??

9 minutes ago, wavodavo said:

Btit man , I always thought you were smarter than that.Total Bolla Bolla your reply was ...( 1 ) the shot doesn't work..maybe not for some people but it would be a small number There many medications that don't work for some people . (3 ) side effects ,, again some people have reactions to certain drugs and you don't know until you try it but   every year thousands of people die  from the flu  mainly the elderly who have other underlying condtions and the flu finishes them off.  Before I started to get the shots I had such a bad case of the flu couldn't get out of bed for a month. My sister in law used to bring food around for me but I really thought I was gonna die . So for me the vaccinations work. Are you a fan of RFK by any chance.??

Nearly 70, not had flu for 6 years (2-3 days and over last time I had it), never had flu vaccination.

8 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

COVID seems to have cured me of the flu anyway.

2020-2022 COVID x3 despite 2x vaccine.

2022-2025 no cold, no flu, no COVID ...... and no vaccinations.

Doctor of Anecdotes.

32 minutes ago, impulse said:

I've gotten exactly one flu shot in my 68 years and I got the flu just as bad that year as any other years that I ever got the flu.  Which is to say, it was a minor inconvenience for a couple of days.

I used to get flu shots annually during the employer sponsored event.  I'd come down with flu about 30% of the time and most of those cases were pretty nasty.
I stopped getting flu shot 20 years ago after I looked into long-term efficacy statistics.  I wasn't impressed.
Needless to say - I haven't had the flu in the last 20 years.

Coincidence? 

I don't think so.  If any of these shots were "sterilizing vaccinations" that were given once and you never get the illness again?  I'd be first in line.  But most are not.  Most don't stop transmission effectively if at all. 

My conclusion?  Our immune systems work just fine.

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Doctor of Anecdotes.

Vs Doctor of New World Order Ideology.

 

But by your ideology you should worship me .......

99% Solar power ............ check

EV driver ......... check

Multicultural marriage ......... check

Mixed race kids ........ check

 

How about YOU, how well do you score on your own ideology?

According to WHO, 290k - 650k worldwide die of flu each year. It is obviously up to the individual whether they get vaccinated, but to suggest that flu is not a serious disease flies in the face of the facts and is irresponsible.

 

Those claiming to have experienced flu with mild symptoms were either very lucky or, perhaps, confused flu with a bad cold. I have had many heavy colds. Not pleasant but I could function. I have had one bout of (bad) flu when I was a fit, 30-something: It knocked the <deleted> out of me for a week or so. There is no comparison.

On 12/10/2025 at 11:29 AM, grain said:

I was infected with Type A Influenza in late October by a person who brought the flu up from Australia. I suspect it was this same super flu. All I can say is I've never been so sick in my life before, an utterly terrible virus, way worse than covid, which I caught in Thailand in 2022. Covid was over in one week, this damn flu took 5 weeks. I'm only now returning to my normal fitness level. If you come across anyone with cold/flu symptoms get away pronto. You do not want to catch this one.

I had Type A Influenza in September (2025) which gave me one of the worst sore throats that I can remember and it affected my breathing/lungs.  I spent 2 days in Bkk/Pty Hospital (Doctor's recommendation) and took pills for 2 weeks to get better.  Definitely nothing to mess with especially when in late 70's. 

Make sure to wear a mask for your safety and the well-being of those around you.

3 hours ago, RayC said:

According to WHO, 290k - 650k worldwide die of flu each year. It is obviously up to the individual whether they get vaccinated, but to suggest that flu is not a serious disease flies in the face of the facts and is irresponsible.

 

Those claiming to have experienced flu with mild symptoms were either very lucky or, perhaps, confused flu with a bad cold. I have had many heavy colds. Not pleasant but I could function. I have had one bout of (bad) flu when I was a fit, 30-something: It knocked the <deleted> out of me for a week or so. There is no comparison.

Difference between flu and common cold. Put a £50 note on the floor next to the bed ridden patient, if they get up to retrieve it it's the common cold, not flu.

12 hours ago, nick supreme said:

Make sure to wear a mask for your safety and the well-being of those around you.

In a press interview  the regarding the very high cases of the flu  in the the chief medical officer was asked if people should wear masks and his answer was no as they are not very effective and I agree.

Just now, wavodavo said:

In a press interview  the regarding the very high cases of the flu  in the the chief medical officer was asked if people should wear masks and his answer was no as they are not very effective and I agree.

woops that was in the UK.

18 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Vs Doctor of New World Order Ideology.

 

But by your ideology you should worship me .......

99% Solar power ............ check

EV driver ......... check

Multicultural marriage ......... check

Mixed race kids ........ check

 

How about YOU, how well do you score on your own ideology?

Well done, but done hold on to hopes I’ll ever worship you.

On 12/11/2025 at 11:56 PM, impulse said:

 

Not meaning this to be too much of a pointed question, does this year's flu vaccine address this strain? 

 

In fairness, logistics and leadtime force them to make an educated guess every year.  Some years, they do better than others.

si

The vaccines in use target 3 serotypes. including a H3N2. Emerging H3N2 has a slight mismatch, but the vaccine still offers partial protection, and the other serotypes are in circulation as well. So an emerging strain is a piss poor reason not to have the vaccine on offer.

 

The prevalence of the strains varies by region; so the vaccine combos are more effective in some regions than others, at different times in the season.

 

 

6 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

si

The vaccines in use target 3 serotypes. including a H3N2. Emerging H3N2 has a slight mismatch, but the vaccine still offers partial protection, and the other serotypes are in circulation as well. So an emerging strain is a piss poor reason not to have the vaccine on offer.

 

The prevalence of the strains varies by region; so the vaccine combos are more effective in some regions than others, at different times in the season.

 

Good info, and thanks for that.

 

Hopefully, in the interest of informed consent, patients are being told whether they're in a more effective or less effective region?  That information doesn't seem to be included in those texts I'm getting from my insurer begging me to get my annual flu shot...