22-04-2024
Influenza Incidence in Lithuania Is Decreasing
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 the country last week (week 16 on 8-14 April), remained similar to the week before and was 937.2 cases /100 000 population compared to 934.6 cases /100 000 population in the week before (week 15 on 15-21 April). The number of cases of influenza and COVID-19 decreased last week, while the number of cases of ARI increased.
The lowest incidence rate in recent weeks remains in Utena County, while the highest rate is in Vilnius County. No Municipality in Lithuania has crossed the epidemic level of 1500 cases per 100 000 population.
In week 16 /2024, 6 people were hospitalised due to influenza in the country: 5 children (2-17 years old) and 1 person over 65 years old. No people were treated in intensive care units. In week 15, 16 people with influenza were admitted to hospital.
Two influenza associated deaths were registered last week (in Šiauliai and Kaunas Counties). The persons belonged to the age groups 70-79 years and over 90 years of age and were not vaccinated against seasonal influenza. A total of 27 influenza deaths have been registered this season so far. A similar number of deaths, 26, was reregistered in the country during the 2018-2019 influenza season
Data on the incidence of influenza, ARI and COVID-19 in Counties
dministracinės teritorijos (apskritys) | 15 sav. (2024 m. balandžio 8–14 d.) | 16 sav. (2024 m. balandžio 15–21 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 | 14 | 1031 | 6 | 1051 | 775,0 | 6 | 1030 | 3 | 1039 | 766,1 |
Kauno | 64 | 5557 | 31 | 5652 | 974,6 | 43 | 5679 | 25 | 5747 | 991,0 |
Klaipėdos | 59 | 2847 | 9 | 2915 | 872,0 | 29 | 2982 | 10 | 3021 | 903,7 |
Marijampolės | 10 | 1307 | 1 | 1318 | 970,6 | 8 | 1330 | 1 | 1339 | 986,1 |
Panevėžio | 24 | 1566 | 8 | 1598 | 756,0 | 15 | 1597 | 4 | 1616 | 764,5 |
Šiaulių | 17 | 2318 | 7 | 2342 | 886,9 | 9 | 2303 | 7 | 2319 | 878,2 |
Tauragės | 12 | 714 | 12 | 738 | 814,4 | 7 | 744 | 1 | 752 | 829,9 |
Telšių | 6 | 1062 | 4 | 1072 | 815,5 | 5 | 1005 | 2 | 1012 | 769,9 |
Utenos | 0 | 793 | 6 | 799 | 636,8 | 4 | 886 | 2 | 892 | 710,9 |
Vilniaus | 95 | 9079 | 46 | 9220 | 1086,3 | 74 | 8933 | 33 | 9040 | 1065,1 |
Iš viso Lietuvoje | 301 | 26274 | 130 | 26705 | 934,6 | 200 | 26489 | 88 | 26777 | 937,2 |
According to the National Public Health Laboratory, in week 15/2024, a total of 96 samples were taken from patients with symptoms of ARI, of which 13 samples tested positive for influenza A virus, 1 sample tested positive for influenza B virus, and 2 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), respiratory infection activity has been decreasing across EU and EEA level since week 4. This season, influenza activity started to decrease earlier than in the last five influenza seasons, with the exception of the 2020-2021 influenza season. In week 15, influenza B virus accounted for 84% of all influenza viruses detected at EU and EEA level. For three consecutive weeks, detections of influenza B virus exceeded those of influenza A virus.
The influenza season will end in four weeks (week 20/2024, mid-May) and it still remains crucial to wash hands thoroughly, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, especially with unclean hands, ventilate the rooms regularly and clean surfaces with a damp cloth, practise proper coughing and sneezing etiquette, and stay away from sneezing and coughing people. If you experience cold like symptoms (sore throat or headache, stuffy or runny nose, etc.), stay at home and consult your family doctor.