Preliminary Overview of the 2025–2026 Influenza Season
Flu Season Ends with No Significant Differences from Previous Seasons
According to data from the National Public Health Centre under the Ministry of Health (NPHC), during the final week of the influenza season in Lithuania (11–17 May 2026), the overall incidence rate of influenza, acute upper respiratory tract infections (AURTIs), and COVID-19 decreased to 544.6 cases per 100,000 population, compared with 575.9 cases per 100,000 population in week 19. The lowest incidence rate was recorded in Panevėžys County, while the highest was observed in Vilnius County.
One person was hospitalized due to influenza and two due to COVID-19. No patients required treatment in intensive care units, and no deaths from these diseases were recorded during the reporting week. In total, 86 people died from influenza and 47 from COVID-19 during the 2025–2026 season.
Municipality-level incidence data are available on the NPHC website https://nvsc.lrv.lt/lt/uzkreciamuju-ligu-valdymas/uzkreciamosios-ligos/gripas-1/sergamumo-duomenys/20252026-m-gripo-sezono-duomenys/
Incidence of influenza, AURTIs, and COVID-19 by County:
Administracinės teritorijos (apskritys) | 19 sav. (2026 m. gegužės 4–10 d.) | 20 sav. (2026 m. gegužės 11–17 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 | 4 | 618 | 2 | 624 | 469,5 | 2 | 549 | 2 | 553 | 416,0 |
Kauno | 11 | 3230 | 12 | 3253 | 553,7 | 6 | 3250 | 5 | 3261 | 555,1 |
Klaipėdos | 15 | 1621 | 6 | 1642 | 477,5 | 12 | 1627 | 2 | 1641 | 477,2 |
Marijampolės | 4 | 660 | 1 | 665 | 498,7 | 0 | 609 | 2 | 611 | 458,2 |
Panevėžio | 3 | 722 | 2 | 727 | 351,2 | 2 | 658 | 6 | 666 | 321,7 |
Šiaulių | 3 | 1417 | 1 | 1421 | 532,7 | 4 | 1369 | 2 | 1375 | 515,5 |
Tauragės | 3 | 329 | 0 | 332 | 369,1 | 0 | 339 | 0 | 339 | 376,9 |
Telšių | 0 | 555 | 4 | 559 | 430,4 | 0 | 535 | 1 | 536 | 412,7 |
Utenos | 6 | 592 | 3 | 601 | 489,8 | 1 | 530 | 1 | 532 | 433,6 |
Vilniaus | 29 | 6763 | 33 | 6825 | 778,5 | 22 | 6184 | 24 | 6230 | 710,6 |
Iš viso Lietuvoje | 78 | 16507 | 64 | 16649 | 575,9 | 49 | 15650 | 45 | 15744 | 544, |
The highest combined incidence rate of influenza, COVID-19, and other acute upper respiratory tract infections was registered in week 7/2026, reaching 1,460 cases per 100,000 population. However, this did not exceed the peak recorded during the previous season (1,910.5 cases per 100,000 population).
- As is typical, epidemic influenza activity was observed during January and February. This season showed the usual influenza seasonality pattern, with the highest influenza incidence recorded during weeks 50–52 of 2025 and weeks 4–5 of 2026.
- The highest number of COVID-19 cases was recorded in September 2025 (week 37).
- Overall, this influenza season was similar to previous seasons, except that the increase in influenza activity began approximately 3–4 weeks earlier than usual. This trend was observed not only in Lithuania, but also across other European countries.
- Among laboratory-confirmed viruses, influenza A strains (A(H3) and A(H1N1)pdm09) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) predominated.
- Neither a national nor a municipal-level influenza and/or COVID-19 epidemic was declared. The highest number of Municipalities reaching epidemic incidence levels was recorded in week 5 of 2026, when 17 Municipalities exceeded the threshold of 1,500 cases per 100,000 population.
- Throughout the season, 36 educational institutions in Lithuania requested the implementation of infection spread limiting measures.
- Children accounted for approximately 50% of influenza and AURTI cases, a trend consistently observed for many years. As in other European countries, the highest incidence rates were recorded among children aged 0–6 years.
- More patients were hospitalized due to influenza compared with previous seasons, while the number of hospitalizations related to COVID-19 remained similar.
- This season recorded the highest number of influenza-related deaths since surveillance began, with a total of 86 deaths. Previously, the highest number (76 deaths) had been recorded during the 2024–2025 season. A total of 47 deaths related to COVID-19 were also recorded this season. The increase in registered influenza cases, including fatalities, may partly reflect improved diagnostics.
- Between October 2025 and April 2026, 98% of the state-funded seasonal influenza vaccines allocated for risk groups were administered.
2025–2026 Season in EU and EEA Countries
Across the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA), the 2025–2026 influenza season:
- Began earlier than usual, although its intensity was comparable to other post-pandemic influenza seasons, starting approximately 3–4 weeks earlier than in the previous two seasons.
- Was initially dominated by influenza A(H3), followed later by A(H1)pdm09, while influenza B cases remained very low.
- Affected people across all age groups, although the most severe cases were recorded among children aged 0–4 years and adults aged 65 years and older.
- Showed a continuing trend of RSV seasonal peaks occurring later over time, with the greatest burden again observed among young children and older adults.
- Saw COVID-19 incidence remain low throughout the season.
Influenza trends observed in Lithuania were broadly consistent with those reported in other EU/EEA countries.
A detailed review of the season, including comprehensive comparisons with previous influenza seasons, will be published on the NPHC website in June–July.
Public Health Recommendations
Although the peak respiratory infection season has ended, residents are still encouraged to continue practicing proper hand hygiene, follow cough and sneeze etiquette by covering the mouth and nose with a disposable tissue, regularly ventilate indoor spaces, and clean surfaces using wet cleaning methods.
Anyone experiencing symptoms such as sore throat, headache, nasal congestion, runny nose, or other respiratory symptoms is advised to contact their healthcare provider.