The flu epidemic is arriving ahead of schedule 0 16

The proportion of positive samples for influenza reached 9.1%, which is almost at the epidemic threshold of 10%.

Last week, 22% of patients visiting family doctors reported respiratory infection complaints, which is five percentage points higher than the previous week. The average incidence rate was 125.3 cases per 100,000 residents, approximately double the figure from the previous week.

The highest incidence of influenza was recorded among children aged 5-14 years; however, the incidence increased across all age groups.

Influenza spread has been recorded in eight out of ten monitored territories. The highest intensity of illness was noted in Jelgava. Cases of influenza were also registered in Riga, Jūrmala, Rēzekne, Daugavpils, as well as in Gulbene, Jēkabpils, and Valmiera municipalities.

Last week, the laboratory tested 317 clinical samples for influenza viruses. Positive results were obtained in 9.1% of cases, whereas the previous week the proportion of positive samples was 5.9%. Since the beginning of the season, 68 cases of infection with influenza type A have been laboratory confirmed. The subtype of the virus was identified in 51 cases: subtype A/H3 accounted for 72.5%, while subtype AH1pdm accounted for 27.5%. No influenza type B virus has been detected since the start of the monitoring season.

After a rise in "Covid-19" cases in late summer and early autumn, the infection rate in Latvia has decreased; however, in the last three weeks, the proportion of positive tests has remained around 5%. Last week, 544 tests for "Covid-19" were conducted, of which 26, or 4.8%, were positive.

Last week, 31 patients diagnosed with "Covid-19" were admitted to hospitals, with 23 patients having it as the primary diagnosis. One case of death of a patient with confirmed "Covid-19" infection was registered.

This autumn, the flu season started earlier than usual, which is simultaneously confirmed by outpatient, inpatient, and laboratory monitoring indicators, noted the CDC.

In other European countries, the flu season has also started unusually early this year, reports the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The dominant influenza virus type A, particularly subtype A(H3N2), can spread rapidly and cause more severe illness in older adults, patients with chronic diseases, and pregnant women.

Given the rapid increase in virus activity, the CDC urges residents, especially those in high-risk groups, to get vaccinated against the flu as soon as possible. To date, 116,077 residents have taken advantage of the state-funded vaccination opportunity, including patients from high-risk groups - elderly people, individuals with chronic diseases, pregnant women, and healthcare workers.

The CDC notes that the main goal of vaccination is to reduce the risk of severe illness and death. Vaccination against seasonal influenza and "Covid-19" is especially recommended for people who often experience severe forms of acute respiratory infections and those at high risk of complications when ill.

Information on which healthcare institutions offer state-funded flu vaccinations for high-risk patients is available on the CDC's website. The list is updated and adjusted according to vaccine availability.