Flu Season Winding Down – Illness Rates Gradually Decreasing
According to data from the National Public Health Centre (NPHC), as the flu season nears its end, the overall incidence of flu, acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), and COVID-19 continued to decline slightly during week 16 of this year (April 14–20). However, rates remain higher than during the same period last year.
In week 16, the overall incidence rate was 1,159.2 cases per 100,000 population (compared to 1,295.2 cases per 100,000 in week 15). At the same time last year, the incidence rate was lower – 937.2 cases per 100,000 people. The lowest rates last week were recorded in the Telšiai County, while the highest were in Vilnius County.
An epidemic level of incidence (exceeding 1,500 cases per 100,000 population) persisted in five Municipalities. The epidemiological situation is being continuously monitored, and cooperation with Municipalities is ongoing. If necessary, an epidemic would first be declared at the Municipal level. So far, no Municipalities have officially declared an epidemic.
Last week, 44 people were hospitalized due to the flu, and 7 due to COVID-19. Two flu-related deaths were reported (bringing the total to 73 this season). The deceased were in the 50–59 and 80–89 age groups, both had chronic illnesses and had not been vaccinated.
The flu season in Lithuania typically lasts until week 20 of the year, which is mid-May. This is the period when increased rates of flu, COVID-19, and URTIs are observed.
How to Protect against flu?
Although the number of cases is gradually declining, the rate remains high compared to last flu season. Therefore, it’s still important to practice good hand hygiene, follow proper cough and sneeze etiquette, ventilate and clean indoor spaces regularly using damp cleaning methods. If you experience cold-like symptoms, avoid crowded places. If children fall ill, they should stay home from school or daycare, and a family doctor should be consulted.
NPHC specialists remind that vaccination is available throughout the entire flu season, and it is especially recommended for individuals belonging to risk groups. Residents can receive COVID-19 vaccines at any healthcare facility. Seasonal flu vaccines are provided free of charge only to individuals in risk groups and only at the healthcare facility where they are registered.
Incidence Data for Influenza, AURTI, and COVID-19 by County:
Administracinės teritorijos (apskritys) | 15 sav. (2025 m. balandžio 7–13 d.) | 16 sav. (2025 m. balandžio 14–20 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 | 183 | 1380 | 4 | 1567 | 1167,8 | 148 | 1206 | 7 | 1361 | 1014,3 |
Kauno | 712 | 7067 | 62 | 7841 | 1339,4 | 584 | 6422 | 54 | 7060 | 1206,0 |
Klaipėdos | 314 | 3563 | 11 | 3888 | 1144,1 | 294 | 3116 | 12 | 3422 | 1007,0 |
Marijampolės | 179 | 1631 | 15 | 1825 | 1355,2 | 142 | 1412 | 14 | 1568 | 1164,4 |
Panevėžio | 194 | 1933 | 8 | 2135 | 1021,1 | 173 | 1764 | 6 | 1943 | 929,3 |
Šiaulių | 209 | 3161 | 22 | 3392 | 1271,4 | 192 | 2802 | 14 | 3008 | 1127,4 |
Tauragės | 87 | 943 | 0 | 1030 | 1137,7 | 127 | 847 | 2 | 976 | 1078,0 |
Telšių | 201 | 1170 | 2 | 1373 | 1048,8 | 132 | 1058 | 1 | 1191 | 909,8 |
Utenos | 81 | 1108 | 2 | 1191 | 943,8 | 123 | 1097 | 3 | 1223 | 969,2 |
Vilniaus | 1171 | 11882 | 83 | 13136 | 1512,9 | 983 | 10636 | 82 | 11701 | 1347,7 |
Iš viso Lietuvoje | 3331 | 33838 | 209 | 37378 | 1295,2 | 2898 | 30360 | 195 | 33453 | 1159,2 |
Situation in Europe
According to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) for week 14 of this year (note: due to the holiday period, updated data will be published in week 16), the incidence of acute upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) is declining across European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries. The highest flu activity was recorded during week 6 of 2025. Currently, a downward trend is observed.
Flu activity peaked in week 6 of 2025 and has been declining since then, although it remains high. The activity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) reached its highest point in week 52 of 2024 and has been declining since, although it remains elevated. COVID-19 activity began to decrease in the summer of 2024 and remained low during the winter period.
Flu tends to affect people over the age of 65 more severely, while RSV-related infections are more severe in children under the age of 5.