First Case Of Covid And Flu Merging To Form Infection Dubbed As 'Flurona'

The first case of 'Flurona' - a rare mixture between coronavirus and influenza - has been detected in a pregnant woman in Israel.

The Israeli Health Ministry is continuing to study the results to find out how serious the infection is and so far, the woman has presented only mild symptoms.

"Both tests came back positive, even after we checked again.

"The disease is the same disease; they’re viral and cause difficulty breathing since both attack the upper respiratory tract."

Professor Vizhnitser added: "Last year, we did not witness flu cases among pregnant or birthing women.

"Today, we are seeing cases of both coronavirus and the flu that are starting to rear their head. We are seeing more and more pregnant women with the flu.

"It is definitely a great challenge dealing with a woman who comes in with a fever at childbirth.

"This is especially when you do not know if it's coronavirus or the flu, so you refer to them the same. Most of the illness is respiratory."

Although the dangers of 'Flurona' are currently uncertain, Professor Vizhnitser added that the woman was expected to be discharged from hospital on Thursday.

Israel's health ministry authorised a fourth vaccine shot for people with weak immune systems on Thursday (30 December).

"Today I approved giving the fourth vaccine for immunocompromised people," health ministry director-general Nachman Ash told reporters.

"I did this in light of studies that show the benefit of the vaccine, including the fourth vaccine, to this population, and in light of the fear they are more vulnerable in this outbreak of Omicron."

He said: "Thanks to our rapid action, the drugs have arrived in Israel quickly and will assist us in getting past the peak of the coming Omicron wave."