Hospitals in England recorded 3,140 flu patients last week, an 18% rise and the highest for this time of year. This surge, coupled with ongoing resident doctors' strikes, is placing immense pressure on the NHS, with bed occupancy at 94.2%.
Resident doctors in England are set to commence a five-day strike from December 17 to 22, 2025, after overwhelmingly rejecting the government's latest pay offer. The industrial action coincides with a severe 'super flu' outbreak, intensifying pressure on the already strained National Health Service.
Health authorities in Argentina's Mendoza province have launched legal proceedings against 15 parents for failing to vaccinate their children. This unprecedented action comes as Argentina faces a significant decline in national immunization rates and a resurgence of preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough.
A widespread sheep and goat pox outbreak in Greece has led to the culling of over 417,000 animals since August 2024, impacting approximately 5% of the national herd. This crisis jeopardizes the production of authentic Greek feta cheese, a key export, and raises concerns about future shortages and price increases in the global market.
Spain is experiencing a rapid and early acceleration of flu cases, with the national incidence rate doubling in a single week to 164.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This surge has already surpassed previous winter peaks, placing significant strain on healthcare services and prompting regional authorities to reintroduce mask mandates in some areas. Young children are particularly affected.
Norway is experiencing a significant increase in influenza activity, with hospital admissions rising from 289 to 438 in a single week. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health reports a dominant Influenza A (H3N2) virus, particularly affecting schoolchildren, and urges preparedness for further increases.
French vaccine company Valneva SE announced positive final Phase 2 results for its single-shot Chikungunya vaccine, IXCHIQ®, in children aged one to eleven. The trial demonstrated strong antibody persistence for 12 months and a favorable safety profile, supporting future Phase 3 development in this age group.
Iran is experiencing a severe H3N2 influenza outbreak, with over 100 deaths reported since mid-November. The fast-spreading virus is straining hospitals nationwide, particularly affecting unvaccinated individuals, the elderly, and those with underlying conditions. School closures have been implemented in several provinces, and health officials warn of the flu's unusual transmissibility and reduced vaccine effectiveness, exacerbated by severe air pollution.
Brazil has launched the Wolbito do Brasil biofactory in Curitiba, the world's largest facility for breeding Aedes aegypti mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia. This innovative method aims to prevent the transmission of dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya viruses, with a capacity to produce billions of eggs annually and protect millions of people.
Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, has called for individuals with flu or cold symptoms to wear masks in public places, including transport, as the UK faces a 'very nasty strain of flu' and record hospitalisations. Downing Street advises mask-wearing as a consideration, while emphasizing flu vaccination.
A prominent NHS leader has called on individuals experiencing flu or cold symptoms in the UK to wear masks in public spaces, including public transport. This recommendation comes as the nation faces a 'tidal wave' of a 'very nasty strain of flu,' leading to record hospital admissions for this time of year.
An independent report by Covid Counter Fraud Commissioner Tom Hayhoe reveals UK taxpayers lost £10.9 billion to fraud and error in pandemic support schemes. The report, published today, highlights 'inadequate controls' and 'huge fraud risks' in schemes like Bounce Back Loans and furlough, with much of the lost funds now deemed beyond recovery. The government has initiated new measures for recovery.
The U.K. Health Security Agency has detected a new recombinant mpox virus in England in an individual who recently travelled to Asia. This new strain combines genetic material from both clade 1b and clade 2b, highlighting the virus's ongoing evolution and prompting calls for continued vigilance and vaccination among eligible groups.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) has been confirmed at a large commercial poultry premises near Sudbrooke, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire, on December 6, 2025. A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been established, and all birds on the affected site will be humanely culled.
A CDC advisory panel, ACIP, voted 8-3 to change the universal recommendation for the newborn hepatitis B vaccine. The new guidance suggests individual decision-making for infants born to mothers negative for the virus, potentially delaying the first dose until two months of age. This marks a significant shift from the 1991 universal recommendation.
China is currently facing a substantial increase in influenza activity, with over half of outpatient visits for influenza-like illnesses testing positive for the flu. The H3N2 strain of Influenza A is predominant, particularly affecting children aged 5-14. Authorities are implementing enhanced monitoring and public health measures as the flu season peaks.
Cuba marked Latin American Medicine Day on December 3rd, celebrating the birth of pioneering scientist Dr. Carlos Juan Finlay, whose discovery of the Aedes aegypti mosquito as the yellow fever transmitting agent revolutionized tropical medicine. The nation honored its healthcare professionals and highlighted its significant contributions to global health and medical cooperation.
In March 2020, Germany enacted stringent border controls with France, Austria, and Switzerland, among other nations, to curb the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures, effective March 16, aimed to restrict non-essential travel while allowing critical goods and commuters to cross.
The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) has launched a new National Reference Center for Wastewater Monitoring. Operational since November 19, 2025, the center expands its surveillance to include SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A and B, and RSV, providing a crucial early warning system for public health in Austria.
Åland's Health and Social Affairs Minister Arsim Zekaj has commented on the resignation of Health and Social Affairs Director Jeanette Pajunen, affirming that the regional government did not request her departure and found no fault in their management of the situation. Pajunen, who served for seven years, resigned citing personal reasons, following her involvement in major projects and navigating the pandemic.
