Belgium has raised the flu alert level from yellow to orange, Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) announced on Thursday.
Vandenbroucke's announcement came in response to a question asked my MP Carmen Ramlot (Les Engagés) during a parliamentary session on Thursday.
The Health Ministry launched a Winter Plan for Respiratory Infections in December. The initiative includes measures to manage common infections including the flu, and the flu alert was deemed yellow at the time. It has now been increased by one level.
The Risk Management Group (RMG) met in the afternoon to discuss preventive measures.
In his response to Ramlot, Vandenbroucke mentioned several such measures, including wearing masks in patient-doctor interactions and in situations involving vulnerable individuals.
He added that vaccination against the flu remains very important. However, with the country nearing the peak of infections, it may be slightly late to get vaccinated now.
Vandenbroucke recommended that vulnerable individuals consult their general practitioners (GPs) for advice.
