Respiratory variants & flu
Assessed by an AI model against this signal's rubric. Describes conditions; not a forecast or advice.
Pending
This signal has not been assessed yet. The next scheduled run will rate it.
Why it matters
Known viruses change; a new COVID-19 variant or a severe flu strain can strain health systems without being 'novel'.
What moves it
Viral evolution, waning immunity, seasonal patterns, vaccine match.
How it's rated
Alert
WHO designates a variant of concern, or flu or COVID-19 hospitalisations strain several countries' health systems.
Watch
WHO designates a new variant of interest, or a hemisphere's flu season is unusually early or severe.
Normal
No WHO variant of interest rising fast; flu seasons of normal severity.