Epidemic Levels Recorded in More than Half of Municipalities
According to the data acquired by the National Public Health Centre (NPHC), in week 5 of this year (29 January to 4 February) the cumulative incidence rate of influenza, acute upper respiratory infections (ARIs) and COVID-19 (coronavirus infection) increased in the country and was 1,783.1 cases/ 100 000 population. In week 4 (22- 27 January) the incidence rate was 1609.5 cases/ 100 000 population. In recent weeks, the number of cases of influenza and ARI has been increasing whereas the number of cases of COVID-19 has been decreasing.
Last week, the highest rates of influenza, ARI and COVID-19 were reported in the Municipalities of Marijampolė, Rietavas and Visaginas. Epidemic level, i.e. the threshold of 1500 cases per 100 000 population, was reached in 34 municipalities. To date, no Municipality has declared an epidemic.
The assessment of the epidemiological situation is based on an integrated assessment of influenza, COVID-19 and other ARIs. Additional criteria, such as the occupancy of hospitals, emergency rooms, and ICU beds due to influenza and/or COVID-19, must also be considered when deciding whether to declare an epidemic. It is also important to consider the situation in personal health care, social care and nursing, and educational institutions. NPHC specialists are constantly monitoring the situation in cooperation with municipal representatives, and propose to announce an epidemic if necessary. The decision to announce an epidemic is made by the mayor of the Municipality.
In week 5/2024, 129 people were hospitalised due to influenza in the country: 84 children (0-17 years), 6 people aged 18-64, and 39 people over 65. 4 persons, including 2 children, were treated in intensive care units.
Three more influenza related deaths were reported. The deceased belonged to the age groups 40-49, 70-79, and 80-89, all with chronic diseases. A total of 11 influenza related deaths have been registered this influenza season. In the same period the previous influenza season (2022-2023), 13 influenza deaths were registered (21 deaths in total).
Data on incidence of influenza, ARI and COVID-19 in Counties
dministracinės teritorijos (apskritys) | 4 sav. (2024 m. sausio 22–28 d.) | 5 sav. (2024 m. sausio 29 d.–vasario 4 d.) | ||||||||
Gripo atvejų skaičius | ŪVKTI atvejų skaičius | COVID-19 ligos atvejų skaičius | Suminis (gripo, ŪVKTI ir COVID-19 ligos) atvejų skaičius | Suminis rodiklis (gripo, ŪVKTI ir COVID-19 ligos atvejų skaičius 100 tūkst. gyventojų) | Gripo atvejų skaičius | ŪVKTI atvejų skaičius | COVID-19 ligos atvejų skaičius | Suminis (gripo, ŪVKTI ir COVID-19 ligos) atvejų skaičius | Suminis rodiklis (gripo, ŪVKTI ir COVID-19 ligos atvejų skaičius 100 tūkst. gyventojų) | |
Alytaus | 211 | 1713 | 70 | 1994 | 1470,3 | 335 | 1885 | 75 | 2295 | 1692,2 |
Kauno | 1010 | 8250 | 269 | 9529 | 1643,2 | 1420 | 9150 | 213 | 10783 | 1859,4 |
Klaipėdos | 214 | 4440 | 102 | 4756 | 1422,8 | 303 | 4939 | 70 | 5312 | 1589,1 |
Marijampolės | 467 | 1994 | 33 | 2494 | 1836,7 | 485 | 2187 | 34 | 2706 | 1992,8 |
Panevėžio | 215 | 2519 | 119 | 2853 | 1349,7 | 303 | 2707 | 105 | 3115 | 1473,7 |
Šiaulių | 363 | 3662 | 85 | 4110 | 1556,5 | 514 | 4035 | 56 | 4605 | 1743,9 |
Tauragės | 80 | 965 | 29 | 1074 | 1185,2 | 156 | 1120 | 25 | 1301 | 1435,7 |
Telšių | 57 | 1522 | 30 | 1609 | 1224,1 | 82 | 1617 | 25 | 1724 | 1311,6 |
Utenos | 207 | 1584 | 71 | 1862 | 1484,1 | 170 | 1645 | 47 | 1862 | 1484,1 |
Vilniaus | 1825 | 13455 | 428 | 15708 | 1850,8 | 2122 | 14745 | 379 | 17246 | 2032,0 |
Iš viso Lietuvoje | 4649 | 40104 | 1236 | 45989 | 1609,5 | 5890 | 44030 | 1029 | 50949 | 1783,1 |
According to the data from National Public Health Care Laboratory, in week 4/2024, a total of 142 samples were taken from patients with symptoms of ARI, of which 58 tested positive for influenza type A virus, 2 tested positive for influenza type B virus, and 21 tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Seasonal incidence of influenza and acute respiratory infections in Lithuania since 2017
According to the European Respiratory Virus Surveillance Network (ERVISS), at the end of week 4 (ending 28 January 2024) remained elevated and at levels above the baseline in most EU/EEA countries. All indicators (number of cases, number of hospital admissions) showed that influenza activity in EU/ EEA remained high. Increasing levels of influenza were reported not only in Lithuania, but also in other countries such as Slovenia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, and Luxembourg.
Source of information: https://erviss.org/.
How keep yourself and others safe?
- Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly (at least 20-30 seconds), and use hand antiseptic if you are unable to wash.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unclean hands.
- Ventilate and wet clean more often.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue when sneezing and coughing. Dispose of the used tissues in the rubbish bin. If you do not have a tissue handy, sneeze and cough into your elbow. If you have covered your mouth and nose with the palm, wash your hands immediately.
- If you feel sick, stay at home, and see a doctor.
- Get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19 throughout the flu season. You can get both vaccines during a single visit to the doctor.
As of 5 February 2024, 215 714 people have been vaccinated with seasonal influenza vaccine since September. As of 5 October, 53 097 persons have been vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine. For more information go to: https://osp.stat.gov.lt/skiepu-svieslente
Last updated: 06-02-2024
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