What is ‘flurona’? Israel reports first case of double Covid and flu infection - is it a new variant?

 Doctors in Israel have reported a patient who appears to be suffering from ‘flurona’, a rare mixture of the influenza virus and Covid-19 virus.

While this case is believed to be the first reported case, experts believe that there are more patients in the country who are yet to be diagnosed.

This is everything we know so far.

What is ‘flurona’?

Flurona is the term that’s been used to describe a rare case of one person suffering from coronavirus and the flu at the same time.

The woman who was reportedly admitted to hospital in Israel with the mixture of the two viruses is pregnant and unvaccinated.


Speaking to local news outlet Hamodia, Professor Arnon Vizhnitser, director of the Beilinson Hospital Gynaecology Department, said: “She was diagnosed with the flu and coronavirus as soon as she arrived.

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


He added: “The disease is the same disease; they’re viral and cause difficulty breathing since both attack the upper respiratory tract.”

According to Professor Vizhnitser, the woman is expected to be discharged from the hospital on Thursday.

The Israeli Health Ministry is believed to be studying the results to figure out whether the combination of the two infections simultaneously can cause a more serious illness.


Is there only one case?

While the woman is thought to be the first documented case of the double infection, Israeli health experts believe that there are others with the same condition that are yet to be diagnosed.

Professor Viznitser said: “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.

How do I get a flu jab in the UK?

“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.”


As well as booster vaccines, a flu jab programme has rolled out across the UK in a bid to get as many people protected against the flu.

Ministers have said this year is set to be the UK’s largest flu vaccination programme in history.

A free flu vaccine is available to those who:

Are 50 and over
Have certain health conditions
Are pregnant
Are in long-stay residential care
  • Receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disable person who may be at risk if you get sick 
  • Frontline health or social care workers
  • Jabs are also being offered to all children in primary school and all children in school years seven to 11 in secondary school, children aged two and three, unpaid carers, and close contacts of immunocompromised individuals. 


The flu vaccine is offered for free on the NHS to those with a serious long-term health condition, including:

  • Respiratory conditions, like asthma (needing steroid inhaler or tablets), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and bronchitis
  • Diabetes
  • Heart conditions, such as coronary heart disease or heart failure
  • Being very overweight - a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Liver disease, such as hepatitis 
  • Neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), or cerebral palsy
  • A learning disability
  • Problems with your spleen, for example, sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen removed
  • A weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or taking medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy


  • You can have the NHS flu vaccine at your GP surgery, a pharmacy offering the service or your midwifery service if you’re pregnant.

To book your free NHS flu jab, you can phone your doctor’s surgery to be booked in for an appointment. Those who are eligible for a free jab may also receive a letter or a phone call to remind them to book an appointment.

Alternatively, you can book your flu jab at your local pharmacy or some may offer walk-in appointments.

If you are not eligible for a free flu jab, you can purchase a vaccination privately. Boots, Tesco and Lloyds Pharmacy are some of the places offering the flu jab.

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