Spain is heading into Christmas with flu levels rising at a pace not seen in years, with experts warning that the real peak could arrive just after the holiday.
It comes as several regions are already reporting record numbers of cases.
Madrid and Catalonia have both surpassed the highest flu peaks of the last three winters, while in Andalucia cases have tripled in just one week.
The rapid rise has pushed regional governments to tighten preventive measures against flu and other respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and RSV, which are also on the radar.
Catalonia and Murcia were the first to act, announcing the return of mandatory masks in all health centres and care homes. Here’s how the latest numbers compare across Spain.
Madrid: flu cases jump to 275 per 100,000 residents
Madrid is seeing one of the sharpest increases. According to the latest epidemiological report, the flu rate climbed from 112 to 275 cases per 100,000 inhabitants between December 1 and 7.
That’s more than double in a single week and far above the epidemic threshold of 22. It has also exceeded the flu peaks of the last three seasons.
Over the past week alone, Madrid recorded 19,301 new cases, a 145% increase. Among hospital patients, those aged 80 and over show the highest rate, while primary care is seeing the biggest jump in children aged 0 to 4 and 5 to 14. Six care-home outbreaks were reported last week, prompting isolation measures and mask use.
Catalonia: incidence more than doubles in seven days
Catalonia is now the worst-hit region, with 418 cases per 100,000 residents – up from 164 the previous week. This level is already well above the peaks of the last three winters.
Masks are now compulsory in hospitals, health centres and care homes as the region tries to contain infections. Overall acute respiratory infections stand at 1,115 cases per 100,000 people. Of all samples analysed, flu accounts for 37.5%, followed by rhinovirus, human coronavirus and RSV, which has been rising for five weeks.
Most hospital admissions for COVID, and nearly three-quarters of flu admissions, involved people over 60. RSV admissions were concentrated in young children. Vaccination coverage among those over 80 stands at 66% for flu and 54% for COVID.
Aragon: risk level raised as rates double
Aragon has also crossed key thresholds. The region now records 325 cases per 100,000 inhabitants – double last week’s figures.
Teruel has moved to risk level 2 after exceeding the regional epidemic limit, joining Huesca and Zaragoza, which are also seeing rapid increases.
Health authorities recommend reinforcing vaccination, hand hygiene and ventilation. Since late November, health centres have been able to require masks for staff in medical and social-care settings.
Murcia: incidence surges 248%
Murcia has seen one of the steepest climbs nationwide. Flu incidence jumped 248% in seven days, reaching 180 cases per 100,000 people. Acute respiratory infections overall have risen 32%, now close to 1,000 per 100,000.
Masks became mandatory this Tuesday in all public and private health facilities, a measure expected to remain in place at least until December 30. Authorities describe masks as ‘the simplest and most effective tool’ to limit transmission, especially for vulnerable people.
Andalucia: cases triple in a week
Andalucia has not yet published its full weekly bulletin, but the regional health minister, Antonio Sanz, confirmed that flu incidence has already reached 33.5 cases per 100,000 people – triple last week’s figure and above the epidemic threshold.
More than 1.7 million residents have been vaccinated so far.
‘We are facing an especially virulent season,’ Sanz said, adding that the regional government will reinforce surveillance and control measures.
Mask use is recommended in health centres and care homes, and becomes mandatory in facilities that have activated their high-frequency care protocols at least three times in a week.
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