Flu Season Is in Full Swing: Number of Sick People Increasing
According to the data acquired by the National Public Health Centre (NPHC), in week 4 of this year (22-28 January) the cumulative incidence rate of influenza, acute upper respiratory infections (ARIs) and COVID-19 (coronavirus infection) increased in the country and was 1609.5 cases/ 100 000 population. In week 3 (15- 21 January) the incidence rate was 1309.9 cases/ 100 000 population. The number of cases of influenza and ARI increased and the number of cases of COVID-19 decreased.
Experts view hand hygiene as the most important way to stop the transmission of disease from one person to another, therefore, to avoid catching viruses wash hands and disinfect them if not available; ventilate and vet clean your rooms; observe coughing and sneezing etiquette - cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue. If you experience cold-like symptoms, stay at home, and contact your family doctor. Wear medical masks or respirators when looking after a sick person or in crowded places where a safe distance cannot be maintained. Please note that personal health care and social care facilities may apply stricter infection control requirements depending on their infrastructure and resources, such as managing patient flows, wearing personal protective equipment, limiting the duration or number of visitors, etc.
Vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 is highly recommended for people at risk, as they are more likely to get sick, end up in hospital and have complications. Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same visit to the doctor.
As of 22 January 2024, 215 359 persons have been vaccinated against seasonal influenza since September. As of 5 October, 53 025 persons have been vaccinated against COVID-19. For more information go to: https://osp.stat.gov.lt/skiepu-svieslente
The lowest incidence rate in week 4 of the year was reported in Tauragė County, whereas the highest in Vilnius County. Epidemic level, i.e. the threshold of 1500 cases per 100 000 population, was reached in 21 Municipalities, compared to 7 Municipalities a week before.
Over the period of 22-28 January, 135 people were hospitalised in the country due to influenza: 85 children (0-17 years), and 8 people aged 18-64 years, and 42 people over 65. 8 people were treated in intensive care units, including 3 children.
Two more deaths due to influenza were reported. The deceased individuals belonged to the age groups 40-49 and 70-79 and were not vaccinated against seasonal influenza. A total of 8 influenza deaths were registered this influenza season. In the previous season (2022-2023), 13 influenza deaths were reported in the same period (21 deaths in total).
Data on incidence of influenza, ARI and COVID-19 in Counties
dministracinės teritorijos (apskritys) | 3 sav. (2024 m. sausio 15–21 d.) | 4 sav. (2024 m. sausio 22–28 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 | 110 | 1358 | 88 | 1556 | 1147,3 | 211 | 1713 | 70 | 1994 | 1470,3 |
Kauno | 456 | 6777 | 275 | 7508 | 1294,7 | 1010 | 8250 | 269 | 9529 | 1643,2 |
Klaipėdos | 139 | 3609 | 129 | 3877 | 1159,8 | 214 | 4440 | 102 | 4756 | 1422,8 |
Marijampolės | 225 | 1557 | 38 | 1820 | 1340,3 | 467 | 1994 | 33 | 2494 | 1836,7 |
Panevėžio | 101 | 2132 | 127 | 2360 | 1116,5 | 215 | 2519 | 119 | 2853 | 1349,7 |
Šiaulių | 241 | 3069 | 90 | 3400 | 1287,6 | 363 | 3662 | 85 | 4110 | 1556,5 |
Tauragės | 38 | 781 | 37 | 856 | 944,6 | 80 | 965 | 29 | 1074 | 1185,2 |
Telšių | 32 | 1202 | 55 | 1289 | 980,6 | 57 | 1522 | 30 | 1609 | 1224,1 |
Utenos | 118 | 1276 | 71 | 1465 | 1167,6 | 207 | 1584 | 71 | 1862 | 1484,1 |
Vilniaus | 1208 | 11604 | 485 | 13297 | 1566,7 | 1825 | 13455 | 428 | 15708 | 1850,8 |
Iš viso Lietuvoje | 2668 | 33365 | 1395 | 37428 | 1309,9 | 4649 | 40104 | 1236 | 45989 | 1609,5 |
According to the data from National Public Health Care Laboratory, in week 3/2024, a total of 92 samples were taken from patients with symptoms of ARI, of which 68 tested positive for influenza type A virus, 1 tested positive for influenza B virus, and 4 were 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 3 (ending 21 January 2024), rates of respiratory illness (influenza-like illness (ILI) and/or acute respiratory infection (ARI)) in the community remained elevated and at levels above baseline (based on moving epidemic method (MEM) thresholds) in most EU/EEA countries. Rates of severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases presenting to sentinel secondary care remained at levels comparable with those for the same period last year. The highest incidence was observed in people aged 65 years and older. RSV activity started to increase around the start of the influenza season (week 41/ 2023) and peaked in week 50. The highest rates of RSV occurred in children aged 0-4 year. Since the end of last year (week 50 /2023), the seasonal influenza boom started. Severe influenza was most common in people aged 15 years and older.
Source: https://erviss.org/.
Last updated: 05-02-2024
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