22-05-2023

Flu Season in Lithuania is Over

The National Public Health Centre under the Ministry of Health (NPHC) informs that last week (week 20/2023) flu season 2022-2023 that started in October last year (week 40/2022) ended. From now on, the number of sick people will no longer be reported every week, however, the incidence will continue to be analysed and information provided as needed. We also note that NPHC collects data on hospitalizations due to flu during the flu season only.

According to NPHC data, the incidence of flu, acute respiratory infections (ARI) and COVID-19 disease decreased in week 20, the last week of the season. The total incidence rate in week 20/2023 was 556.8 cases/100 000 population compared to 561.6 cases/100 000 population a week before. The highest incidence rates were reported in Kaunas (833.80 cases/100 000 population), Municipality of Kėdainiai District (825.75 cases/100 000 population), and Kazlų Rūda (796.09 cases/100 000 population).

Last week, 4 people were hospitalized due to flu, 2 of whom belong to the age group of 2-17 years (two persons were treated in intensive care units). During 8-14 May, 5 persons were hospitalized, including 3 children under 18.

In the last week of the flu season, two deaths from flu were reported in the age group of over 65. Both persons were unvaccinated and had other co-morbidities. A total of 20 deaths from influenza were reported in Lithuania during the 2022/2023 flu season (2 persons of them were vaccinated against flu, 18 were not vaccinated).

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

According to the data from the National Public Health Laboratory, in week 19/2023, a total of 210 specimens were taken from patients with symptoms of ARI, of which 3 tested positive for type B virus.

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 19/2023, 792 of 28 060 specimens taken to determine the influenza virus tested positive (28% were type A, and 72% were type B).

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

What was this flu season like?

NPHC estimates that flu was more active this season because of weakened immune system among large number of population that was caused by the diminished activity of influenza and other ARI during COVID-19 pandemic: the flu season started earlier and was more severe compared to previous seasons (before the pandemic). Epidemiological situation was similar across European Region. The 2022-2023 flu season was similar in morbidity to pre-pandemic seasons, with the exception of the 2020-2021 season.

According to NPHSL data, specimens taken to determine the influenza virus show that the dominant types of influenza viruses over the 2022-2023 flu season, were type A, type B viruses and syncytial virus, which determined the fluctuations of morbidity during the season. In the beginning of the season, influenza type A virus prevailed, and in the second half of the season type B virus prevailed. It should be noted that both types of the virus are included in the seasonal flu vaccine.

During the 2022-2023 flu season, 202 080 flu vaccine doses were distributed to the country's medical facilities for vaccination of risk groups. According to NPHC, a total of 191,092 persons at risk were vaccinated this season (September-April) (94.5% of vaccine doses were used).

A comprehensive overview of this flu season is currently being prepared, which will present a comparison between last and previous seasons. The review will be published on NPHC website in June.

Last updated: 30-05-2023

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