Flu Season Is Not Over Yet: Number of Acute Respiratory Infections Has Increased
According to the data possessed by the National Public Health Centre (NPHC), the overall incidence of influenza, acute upper respiratory infections (ARIs) and COVID-19 in Lithuania slightly increased last week (18-24 March) and was 1,240.4 cases/ 100 000 population. Compared to 1029.6 cases / 100 000 population in the week before. The Municipalities of Marijampolė and Vilnius City crossed the epidemic threshold of 1 500 cases / 100 000 inhabitants.
The increase in the incidence is associated with a higher number of ARI cases but not influenza or COVID-19. Compared to the previous week, the number of cases of influenza and COVID-19 decreased, while the number of ARI increased. The lowest incidence was registered in Utena County whereas the highest in Vilnius County.
Last week, 42 people were hospitalised due to influenza in the country: 25 children (0-17 years), 3 people aged 18-64 and 14 people aged 65+. No influenza related deaths were registered in that period. A total of 25 influenza deaths have been registered this season so far.
Data on the incidence of influenza, ARI and COVID-19 in Counties
inistracinės teritorijos (apskritys) | 11 sav. (2024 m. kovo 11–17 d.) | 12 sav. (2024 m. kovo 18–24 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 | 50 | 1143 | 8 | 1201 | 885,6 | 33 | 1387 | 4 | 1424 | 1050,0 |
Kauno | 199 | 5841 | 42 | 6082 | 1048,8 | 145 | 7267 | 46 | 7458 | 1286,1 |
Klaipėdos | 97 | 3109 | 16 | 3222 | 963,9 | 129 | 3742 | 23 | 3894 | 1164,9 |
Marijampolės | 29 | 1377 | 11 | 1417 | 1043,5 | 18 | 1697 | 6 | 1721 | 1267,4 |
Panevėžio | 95 | 1559 | 11 | 1665 | 787,7 | 81 | 1881 | 19 | 1981 | 937,2 |
Šiaulių | 87 | 2651 | 13 | 2751 | 1041,8 | 94 | 3232 | 7 | 3333 | 1262,2 |
Tauragės | 25 | 663 | 13 | 701 | 773,6 | 30 | 903 | 6 | 939 | 1036,2 |
Telšių | 28 | 999 | 3 | 1030 | 783,6 | 20 | 1280 | 5 | 1305 | 992,8 |
Utenos | 21 | 877 | 11 | 909 | 724,5 | 12 | 1093 | 6 | 1111 | 885,5 |
Vilniaus | 388 | 9942 | 110 | 10440 | 1230,1 | 336 | 11841 | 100 | 12277 | 1446,5 |
Iš viso Lietuvoje | 1019 | 28161 | 238 | 29418 | 1029,6 | 898 | 34323 | 222 | 35443 | 1240,4 |
According to the National Public Health Laboratory, in week 11 /2024, a total of 81 samples were taken from patients with symptoms of ARI, of which 13 samples tested positive for influenza type A virus, and 8 samples tested positive for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Incidence of influenza, COVID-19 and ARI in Lithuania during flu season since 2017
According to the European Respiratory Virus Surveillance Network (ERVISS), at the end of week 11 respiratory activity was decreasing but remained above baseline levels in under half of reporting EU/EEA countries. The activity was largely driven by influenza.
The flu season will be over in two months' time (week 20 of the year, in mid-May), hence it is still important to observe the rules of personal hygiene, and coughing and sneezing etiquette. Wash your hands regularly, avoid touching surfaces that may be contaminated with viruses, ventilate and wet clean rooms frequently. If you have cold-like symptoms (sore throat or headache, stuffy or runny nose, etc.), stay at home or work from home, and contact your family doctor.
Last updated: 25-03-2024
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