U.K. School Lockdowns Return Amid “Super Flu” Surge Reports
- by Rishma Parpia
- Published
- Infections
A “super-flu” strain is being reported across the United Kingdom, prompting several schools to close and increasing admissions to hospitals as influenza infection rates rise.1 The outbreak involves a mutation of the influenza A virus known as either H3N2 or as subclade K, emerging earlier in the winter than usual and contributing to disruption across affected regions.2
Local Lockdowns Put Schools Back to Remote Learning
In Wales, St Martin’s School in Caerphilly closed suddenly after hundreds of students fell ill with fever, vomiting and exhaustion, forcing a rapid switch to remote learning.3 In Cornwall, more than 1,100 pupils at Budehaven Community School were sent home as widespread illness left staffing levels unsustainable. Schools in Cheshire and Leeds have also cancelled assemblies, tightened cleaning protocols, and introduced temporary shutdowns as infections spread through classrooms.4
The disruptions have unsettled families and teachers, with schools reactivating digital learning systems last used during the pandemic. Headteachers report that high absenteeism and simultaneous staff illness have made it difficult to maintain normal school schedule. A “firebreak”—what medical workers call a short, deliberate shutdown intended to slow infectious disease transmission—has been ordered.5
William Welfare, MBBS, MPH, the U.K. Health Security Agency’s health protection director, said outbreaks of flu in schools happen regularly, but closures are rare events. According to Dr. Welfare:
School closures due to outbreaks are rare and are a decision for the head teacher based on a number of factors, including staff sickness, any possible safety issues, the numbers of more vulnerable children, and whether part or all of the school needs to be closed so that any necessary health protection measures such as deep cleaning can be carried out.6
NHS Services Challenged by Increase in Flu Cases
News reports state that National Health Service (NHS) hospitals are also being challenged by increasing cases of the new H3N2 subclade K influenza strain. Influenza-related admissions to hospitals rose 55 percent in a single week, reaching around 2,660 patients per day, the highest level recorded at this stage of winter. Several NHS trusts have declared critical incidents as emergency departments struggle with overcrowding, long waits and staff absences. Some hospitals have reinstated mask guidance inside hospital wards, adding further protocols for patients and visitors.7
Whittington Health NHS Trust in London told the public this week:
You must wear a mask when visiting our Emergency Department, some of our wards, and other clinical areas where the risk is high. If you have flu symptoms, please avoid visiting the hospital.8
Research Shows COVID Pandemic Lockdowns Had Little Impact on Reducing Mortality
As temporary closures reappear in response to the super-flu wave in the U.K., research on pandemic-era restrictions found that lockdowns had a negligible effect on reducing mortality. A study conducted by the Institute of Economic Affairs headquartered in London, England, reported that voluntary behavior changes, including individuals choosing to reduce contact when illness was prevalent, proved more influential than mandated stay-at-home orders in reducing transmission. Tens of thousands of examined datasets showed only modest mortality reductions associated with lockdown measures relative to their widespread costs.9
Review of Global Studies Finds Masks Offered Little Protection
Research from Cochrane, an independent medical review organization, examined 78 global studies involving more than one million participants to assess how effective masks were in preventing influenza and influenza-like illness, including COVID-19. The analysis found that masks reduced the risk of infection and death by only about five percent, leading researchers to conclude that mask use and mask mandates offered limited benefit and did not outweigh potential risks, such as impacts on young children’s cognitive and academic development.
Cochrane, widely regarded as adhering to a high standard for evidence-based medical reviews, conducts systematic analyses using rigorous methods designed to minimize bias and rely on high-quality research.10
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