EXPLAINED | What is Florona disease? All about the double infection of COVID & Flu

world has entered 2022 with ar new variant of COVID-19 virus Omicron. re have also been concerns that 'twin threats'- Delta and Omicron- kwn toger as 'Delmicron' may take over globe and cripple healthcare systems, as predicted by World Health Organisation (WHO). 

Amidst rising concerns, comes a new term of infection kwn as 'Florona' disease, which was first reported in Israel. 'Florona' described by experts as a 'double infection of COVID-19 and Influenza' was recorded in a pregnant woman on December 30 in Israel. While re is very limited information available on what disease means, here is everything we kw so far about Florona.

What is Florona?

Florona basically stands for 'Flu + Corona'. It is t a new variant of COVID-19 but a double infection that causes a major breakdown of a person's immunity when both  influenza virus and SARS-Cov-2 enter body at same time. Earlier this week, a pregnant woman was infected with Florona, becoming first person to report disease. According to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahroth,  young woman was t vaccinated for eir of two viruses.

What does WHO say about Florona?

While re is definition of Florona by  World Health Organization (WHO), global health body has detailed that it is possible to catch both diseases- COVID-19 and Influenza at same time. In a statement WHO says, "Yes, it is possible to catch both diseases at same time. most effective way to prevent hospitalization and severe COVID-19 and influenza is vaccination with both vaccines."

Precautions for Florona

WHO has released a list of measures to avoid a double infection. se include measures such as maintaining at least a 1-metre distance from ors, wearing a well-fitted mask when keeping your distance is t possible, avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated places and settings, opening windows and doors to keep rooms well ventilated, and cleaning your hands frequently. 

" most effective way to protect yourself from both influenza and severe COVID is to get vaccinated with both influenza and COVID vaccines. Follow vice of your local authorities on getting influenza and COVID-19 vaccines," it has suggested.