Public Health Note: Winter bugs in 2025
We are in for a bad flu season this Christmas. The H3N2 flu virus is causing more people to get ill, and to be ill for longer. As cases continue to rise, find out how to protect yourself and others from being ill over Christmas.
What is the current situation in the UK?
This year, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported that we are in for a bad flu season. It has started earlier than normal, more people are getting it, and people who get the flu are experiencing more serious illness than usual.
Viruses change over time through mutation, so during some years they cause more disease, or worse disease. This year, changes to the H3N2 virus happened after the vaccine had been made and distributed. That is making it harder for our immune systems to recognise the virus, even after we have been vaccinated or have had the same flu before, resulting in more people getting sick. However, the virus itself is not causing more severe illness than regular flu and it’s not harder to treat; we are just less immune than most other years.
For most people, this means experiencing typical flu symptoms like fatigue, high temperature, brain fog, and aches for several days. They should sleep, rest at home, stay hydrated and, if appropriate, take ibuprofen or paracetamol for aches and fever.
However, for some people flu symptoms can be significantly worse, causing serious illness and hospitalisation. Particularly at-risk groups include pregnant people, people over 65, and people with some chronic health conditions. But the vaccine is still very effective at preventing severe illness, so people who are eligible to get it for free due to these conditions or other risk factors are strongly encouraged to do so.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which can be serious in pregnant people, newborns, and people over 75 is also having a greater effect than usual this year. It only affects a subset of the population though, all of whom are eligible for a free vaccination which prevents it from causing severe illness. Covid, meanwhile, has remained at the expected level of infections for this winter season.
How will the flu affect the railway this winter?
Flu spreads through droplets in the air caused by people coughing, sneezing or speaking. In the winter, when we spend more time indoors with the doors and windows closed, flu spreads quickly. This is especially true in crowded public areas like shops, schools, gyms, pubs and restaurants, and on public transport. People with flu symptoms should avoid travelling or spending time in public places to avoid infecting others.
Cases are still rising, and experts predict that the peak of flu cases is yet to come. It is likely that public transport staff will be exposed to a lot of people with flu this season, and we may see higher absence due to sickness among our staff than usual.
The head of the NHS has advised that people who feel ill could consider wearing masks in public spaces if they are unable to stay at home, including on public transport. This reduces their chances of passing a virus on to people around them.
What advice could rail consider for staff and passengers?
- People with symptoms of flu should rest at home
- Encourage staff to make sure they are up-to-date with any vaccines they are eligible for, and support them in taking the time to attend a vaccine appointment if needed
- Passengers with flu symptoms can be advised to avoid travelling and public spaces if possible. Those who have symptoms but can’t avoid travelling could consider wearing a mask to protect other people. Rail operators could consider reminding people of this recommendation with announcements or messaging.
- Remind everyone to wash their hands frequently with soap and hot water. This is an extremely good defence against flu.
- To avoid disruption in the case that flu cases continue to rise and more staff are off sick, passengers could be reminded to check their journeys ahead of time.
