The data

Flu, early season in Europe: the situation in Italy

WHO emphasises vaccine effectiveness and prevention measures against respiratory viruses

by Massimo De Laurentiis

30 November 2025

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2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The flu season started about a month early across Europe. This is a trend already observed in the 2022-2023 season. Some countries have already seen an increase in cases, others have not.

The situation in Italy

This year in Italy the season got off to a busy start. According to data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), updated on Lab24, in the forty-seventh week of 2025 there are an estimated 16,400 cases. Compared to the previous week, when the incidence was 8.24, there was a percentage change of +8.7%.

According to ISS, the highest positivity values among circulating respiratory viruses are those of Rhinoviruses, influenza viruses and Adenoviruses. The simultaneous circulation of these different viruses contributes to the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI).

For influenza, the positivity rate is increasing while the Covid rate is decreasing. As for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), infection levels remain low.

In hospitals, the most detected viruses are Rhinoviruses, followed by influenza viruses and, more distantly, SARS-CoV-2, with the highest incidence in the over-65s.

Among the various influenza strains in the community, influenza A(H3N2) continues to increase.

The situation in Europe

At the European level, the WHO data show that positivity in general practice tests reached 17% in mid-November and, according to projections, could peak at 50% in late December and early January.

On the vaccination front, the WHO reiterates that the flu vaccine remains the most effective tool for preventing complications, even when circulating viruses show mutations from the vaccine strains.

For Covid, the recommendation remains the same: vaccination continues to protect against severe forms and has prevented an estimated 1.6 million deaths in Europe between 2020 and 2023.

Who is most at risk and how to protect themselves

The groups most exposed to serious consequences are: the elderly, pregnant women, people with chronic diseases, the immunocompromised, as well as young children due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

The WHO recalls that many of the measures introduced during the pandemic remain valid to limit the spread of all respiratory viruses. Among the main indications:

● get vaccinated if you fall into the eligible categories;

● staying at home in case of symptoms;

● taking care of hand hygiene and covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing;

● ventilate rooms;

● use a mask if you have symptoms or frequent crowded enclosed places.

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