Fewer Flu Cases in the First Week of the Year

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 has been decreasing for several recent weeks now in the country. In the first week of the year  the incidence rate was 1300 cases/100,000 compared to 1357.8 cases/100,000 the week before, in the last week of 2022.

In the first week of the year fewer cases of influenza were reported in the country compared to the week before, whereas the rates of ARI and COVID-19 increased.

The lowest incidence rate remained in Utena County, whereas the highest in Kaunas County. The epidemic level of incidence, defined as more than 1,500 cases per 100,000 people, has now been reached in 11 Municipalities, compared to 13 Municipalities the week before.

Last week, the highest incidence rates were reported in the following Municipalities: Šiauliai (2076.44 cases/100,000), Jonava District (1860.80 cases/100,000), Panevėžys (1837.26 cases/100,000), Kaunas (1800.48 cases/100,000), and Klaipėda City (1707.80 cases/100,000).

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

In the first week of this year, 134 people were hospitalized with influenza, almost 60% (79 patients) of whom were children under 17 years. 10 persons were treated in intensive care units, 2 of whom were 2-17 years old. 1 pregnant woman was hospitalized due to flu.

Two flu deaths were reported last week (among individuals in 50-59 and 80-89 age groups). Neither of them were vaccinated against seasonal influenza and had co-infections. A total of eight deaths from influenza have been reported so far this flu season in Lithuania.

According to the data from the National Public Health Laboratory, in  week 52/ 2022 weeks a total of 642 specimens were obtained from patients with symptoms of ARI, most of which (301)  were positive for influenza A virus, 9 for influenza B virus and 69 for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

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

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), in Europe, for week 52/2022, 20,884 out of 84,164 specimens tested positive for an influenza virus: 94% were type A, and 4% were type B.

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



NPHC specialists highlight the importance of hygiene rules during the flu season: when coughing and sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or a bent elbow. If you do not have a tissue at hand, it is advised to cough or sneeze into your elbow not into your hands – in this way you will not transfer viruses to the objects you touch. It is also important to maintain cleanliness in the premises you work/live, they must be regularly cleaned and ventilated in winter as well, because infections are most likely to spread in small, poorly ventilated premises. 

Last updated: 17-05-2023

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