28-12-2022

A Week Before Holiday, Incidence Rates Slightly Decreased

The National Public Health Centre under the Ministry of Health (NPHC) informs that the overall incidence rate of influenza, acute respiratory infections (ARI) and COVID-19 decreased slightly in the week before holiday (week 51) and was 1787.6 cases/100,000. In the week before, this indicator had reached 1843.5 cases/100,000. The lowest incidence rate was recorded in Utena County, the highest in Kaunas County.

During week 51, compared to the week before, the number of flu cases increased, while the number of cases of acute respiratory infections and COVID-19 was lower. 235 people were hospitalized due to the flu, of whom more than half (162) were children (under 17). 13 persons were treated in intensive care units (5 of whom aged 2-17 years). Two cases of death from influenza were reported (four in total this season).

Last week, the level of epidemics was reached in 28 Municipalities compared to 32 Municipalities the week before.

The highest incidence rates were recorded in Kazlų Rūda Municipality (3609.55 cases/100, 000), Kėdainiai District (2932.17 cases /100, 000), Jonava District (2889.77 cases/100, 000), Panevėžys City (2732.88 cases/100, 000), and Marijampolė Municipality (2694.82 cases/100, 000).

Data on incidence of influenza, ARI and COVID-19 in Counties

As was mentioned in the previous incidence overviews, influenza season has arrived earlier than usual this year. Currently, the incidence curve is sloping downward.

Seasonal incidence of influenza and acute respiratory infections in Lithuania since 2017

According to the data from the National Public Health Laboratory, in week 50/2022 a total of 972 specimens were obtained from patients with symptoms of ARI, of which 424 specimens were positive for influenza A virus (of 424 subtyped A virus, 26 were A(H1), 23 were A (H3), and 374 were not typed), 1 was positive for B virus, and 174 were positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), for week 50/2022, 15,006 of 80,730 specimens tested positive for an influenza virus: 94% were type A and 6% were type B. Of 4,599 subtyped A viruses, 64% were A(H1) and 36% A(H3).

European weekly data on influenza virus detections by type, season 2022/2023

For more information visit https://flunewseurope.org/VirusCharacteristics

Protect yourself and others

Experts remind that vaccination is the most effective protection against influenza. 3 of 4 persons who died from influenza belonged to risk groups and were not vaccinated. Do not delay and contact your family doctor to get vaccinated.

To prevent flu it is also recommended to:

Observe hand hygiene: wash your hands as often as possible, especially when taking care of a patient, before eating or after touching a potentially infected object.
Ventilate and wet clean the premises (both residential and public).
Wear medical face masks or respirators in closed public places: (shops, churches, etc.), public transport and any crowded places that are poorly ventilated, and keep a safe distance from other people. Face protection measures are mandatory in personal health care institutions.

If you went down with flu, it is recommended to:

Contact your family doctor and follow his/her recommendations; do not allow children who are sick to attend school; if it is possible, work remotely, and not to visit public places.
When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or sleeve (preferably in the bend of the elbow). If you used your palm to cover your mouth or nose, wash your hands immediately.
Wear a medical mask when communicating with people living together.

Last updated: 17-05-2023

Preliminary Overview of the 2025–2026 Influenza Season

Flu Season Is Ending: Incidence Rates Lower Than at the Same Time Last Year

Respiratory infection morbidity is decreasing

NPHC Provides Guidance on How toAct When Air Pollution Increases

A Week Before Holiday, Incidence Rates Slightly Decreased

Related news: