Health experts have warned a so-called ‘quintupledemic’, which could see the UK being hit by five simultaneous waves of diseases, could strike before the end of the year.
Dr Joseph Ambani claims it is a real possibility that flu, RSV, Covid, Norovirus and mpox could converge at the same time and put a huge strain on the NHS over the festive period.
He explained: “The concept of a ‘quintupledemic’ may sound dramatic. However, it’s a realistic concern in a winter where Norovirus, mpox, Covid-19, RSV, and flu could circulate simultaneously.
“Each virus has its unique transmission dynamics, but what makes this scenario particularly unsettling is the overlap in their seasonal peaks and the strain this could place on our healthcare systems.
“Winter provides a perfect storm for viral transmission. Closed spaces, festive gatherings, and waning immunity from vaccines or past infections create a fertile ground for outbreaks.”
He also emphasised the potential toll it will have on people over Christmas. “The human impact of such a scenario cannot be overstated,” he explained. “Imagine hospitals stretched thin, families cancelling festive plans due to illness, and caregivers juggling the overlapping demands of multiple infections.”
Echoing these sentiments, Dr Bruno Silvester Lopes of Teesside University warned of the reality of facing increased cases of norovirus, mpox, COVID-19, RSV, and influenza at the same time during winter, reports the Mirror.
He explained: “The concept of a ‘quintupledemic’ may sound dramatic. However, it’s a realistic concern in a winter where Norovirus, mpox, Covid-19, RSV, and flu could circulate simultaneously.
“Each virus has its unique transmission dynamics, but what makes this scenario particularly unsettling is the overlap in their seasonal peaks and the strain this could place on our healthcare systems.”
“Winter provides a perfect storm for viral transmission. Closed spaces, festive gatherings, and waning immunity from vaccines or past infections create a fertile ground for outbreaks.
“The human impact of such a scenario cannot be overstated. Imagine hospitals stretched thin, families cancelling festive plans due to illness, and caregivers juggling the overlapping demands of multiple infections.”
Dr Lopes has suggested that such phenomena arise “due to overlapping seasonal activity, weakened immunity, and increased social interactions”.
Despite the threat of a quintupledemic, Dr Lopes says people can boost their changes of avoiding falling ill by handwashing and using masks in crowded spaces.
He continued: “Public health awareness, robust surveillance, and individual vigilance are essential in preparing and addressing these outbreaks effectively.”
It comes after an identification of a fifth case of Clade 1b mpox in Leeds, which differs from the cases identified in London. With the situation evolving, the UKHSA’s chief medical adviser Susan Hopkins addressed public concerns by saying: “It is thanks to clinicians rapidly recognising the symptoms and our diagnostics tests that we have been able to detect this new case.
“The risk to the UK population remains low following this fifth case, and we are working rapidly to trace close contacts and reduce the risk of any potential spread.”
The NHS lists typical symptoms of mpox, including a rash, fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen glands, shivering exhaustion and joint pain, with the rash usually showing up one to five days after the first signs appear.