Why Is the World Witnessing an Unprecedented Breakout of Infections?

Ph.D.

1/23/2023|Updated: 1/23/2023

Even though many would like to declare the pandemic over, COVID-19 variants are still mutating and circulating globally. At the same time, while the virus is particularly disastrous for China, which is seeing abnormal spikes in infection numbers, several waves of viral infections are currently sweeping the world, including the flu, RSV, and other influenza-like viruses. There may be a reason why this “multidemic” wave has come at such a pivotal point in the pandemic timeline.

The Flu Is Spreading Earlier This Season

When flu season comes around every year, it’s easy to spot people coughing, sneezing, and taking days off from the office. For most people, the flu is easy to beat, as most people overcome an infection after a few days with plenty of fluids and rest. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza infects tens of millions of people in the United States and causes hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations each year.

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Xiaoxu Sean Lin is an assistant professor in the Biomedical Science Department at Feitian College in Middletown, New York. He is also a frequent analyst and commentator for Epoch Media Group, VOA, and RFA. He is a veteran who served as a U.S. Army microbiologist and also a member of Committee on the Present Danger: China.