People in the north might be staring at a 'tripledemic'. Here's what it means

Winter is approaching in the Northern Hemisphere and people are gearing up for what experts arecalling the "tripledemic". This is because three types of viruses are going around at the time. COVID-19 continues to create a scare with the new XEC variant in the air. Meanwhile, the flu season is also around the corner, and you can't ignore the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) either.

Experts say people need to be wary of the winter tripledemic, with the need to stay alert even against RSV, IFL Science reported.

The flu is a seasonal thing and comes around every year. RSV might not be as heard of as the flu or COVID-19, but it is also a seasonal disease, experts say.

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COVID-19 is not a seasonal infection, however, it poses a higher risk during the autumn and winter seasons, with a fresh wave seen during this time each year in several parts of the world.

As per the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID Data Tracker, the positivity rate of Covid tests is going down right now.

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However, this means that if a tripledemic is to hit the region, it will come later in the season.

COVID-19 surge in UK and rest of Europe

Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, COVID-19 cases are seeing an uptick. According to the UK Health Security Agency, COVID-19 cases, deaths, and patient admissions have registered an increase in the seven days up to October 9, October 4, and September 28 respectively compared with the previous week.

Other parts of Europe are currently seeing the highest rates of new COVID-19 cases, as per Politico.

The flu and RSV infections are yet to peak, and several parts of the world might record it during a new Covid wave.

Steve Russell, NHS national director for vaccinations and screening, says that the "threat of winter viruses is all too real", adding that new figures show thousands of deaths associated with COVID and flu in the past few years.

He stressed that "anyone eligible takes up the offer to get vaccinated".

COVID-19 vaccines have been updated and flu vaccines have already been rolled out for the season. Similarly, it is important to stay alert against RSV despite it being considered a mild cold. Reportedly, it causes nearly 10,000 deaths in older adults in the US each year and is especially fatal for children.

The world's first RSV vaccine was approved by the USFood and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023 and, according to a study published in The Lancet, was found to be 80 per cent effective at preventing hospitalisation in adults aged 60 and over.