People are still sniffling around us. The flu epidemic that has already gripped the Netherlands for a record time is still not over.
Figures from the research institute Nivel show that the number of people with flu has even risen again. The flu epidemic has lasted 17 weeks, making it the longest in 20 years.
High point is over
Last week, an average of 61 in every 100,000 people went to the doctor with flu-like symptoms. At the peak of the epidemic in February, three times as many people were sick.
The virus hangs around
The fact that the flu epidemic is lingering for so long is probably because it has remained cold for a long time. A flu virus survives longer at low temperatures and low humidity.
