Respiratory infection morbidity is decreasing
According to data possessed by the National Public Health Centre under the Ministry of Health (NPHC), in Lithuania during week 15 of the year (6–12 April), the overall incidence rate of influenza, acute upper respiratory tract infections (AURTI), and COVID-19 disease decreased compared to the previous week, reaching 495.9 cases per 100,000 population (compared to 690.3 cases per 100,000 population in week 14). In the same period last season, the overall incidence rate was 1,295.2 cases per 100,000 population.
Last week, the number of influenza, COVID-19, and AURTI cases all decreased. The lowest incidence was recorded in Alytus County, while the highest was in Vilnius County. No Municipality reached epidemic incidence levels (the threshold of 1,500 cases per 100,000 population was not exceeded).
During week 15, 13 persons were hospitalised due to influenza and 10 due to COVID-19. One person with COVID-19 was treated in an intensive care unit. No deaths from influenza were registered (a total of 86 this season). No deaths from COVID-19 were recorded either (a total of 45 this season).
Municipal-level incidence data are available on the NPHC website.
Incidence of influenza, AURTIs, and COVID-19 by County:
Administracinės teritorijos (apskritys) | 14 sav. (2026 m. kovo 30 d. – balandžio 5 d.) | 15 sav. (2026 m. balandžio 6–12 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 | 20 | 786 | 3 | 809 | 608,6 | 5 | 356 | 5 | 366 | 275,4 |
Kauno | 67 | 3763 | 31 | 3861 | 657,2 | 30 | 2760 | 26 | 2816 | 479,3 |
Klaipėdos | 20 | 1980 | 10 | 2010 | 584,5 | 14 | 1431 | 10 | 1455 | 423,1 |
Marijampolės | 11 | 739 | 3 | 753 | 564,6 | 1 | 442 | 2 | 445 | 333,7 |
Panevėžio | 19 | 971 | 4 | 994 | 480,2 | 9 | 646 | 10 | 665 | 321,2 |
Šiaulių | 16 | 1642 | 13 | 1671 | 626,5 | 7 | 1397 | 6 | 1410 | 528,6 |
Tauragės | 3 | 367 | 2 | 372 | 413,6 | 1 | 255 | 2 | 258 | 286,8 |
Telšių | 17 | 740 | 3 | 760 | 585,1 | 10 | 546 | 3 | 559 | 430,4 |
Utenos | 7 | 689 | 7 | 703 | 572,9 | 5 | 512 | 6 | 523 | 426,2 |
Vilniaus | 63 | 7891 | 66 | 8020 | 914,8 | 44 | 5740 | 54 | 5838 | 665,9 |
Iš viso Lietuvoje | 243 | 19568 | 142 | 19953 | 690,3 | 126 | 14085 | 124 | 14335 | 495,9 |
Important preventive measures
Although the influenza season is gradually coming to an end (typically lasting until mid-May), continued adherence to personal hygiene practices is still recommended. Handwashing should be performed frequently, and hand sanitiser should be used when washing is not possible. Avoid touching potentially contaminated surfaces, ventilate rooms regularly, and clean them using wet cleaning methods. It is also important to follow proper cough and sneeze etiquette by covering the mouth and nose with a disposable tissue.
If symptoms of a common respiratory infection appear (such as sore throat, headache, nasal congestion, runny nose, etc.), it is recommended to stay at home or work remotely if possible, and to consult a general practitioner. Early medical consultation helps initiate treatment sooner and reduces the risk of complications.
If ill, wearing a medical mask or respirator is recommended, as it helps contain respiratory secretions when coughing or sneezing and protects others.
Situation in Europe
According to week 14 data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the number of people seeking healthcare due to acute respiratory tract infections in European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries has reached baseline levels, indicating that the circulation of respiratory viruses has decreased across most of the EU and EEA.
COVID-19 activity and hospital admissions remain low across all age groups. Influenza activity and hospitalisation rates continue to decline in all age groups. Influenza A(H3) and A(H1)pdm09 viruses continue to predominate.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity remains high, although recent trends indicate an overall decline in incidence. Most hospitalised patients are children under 5 years of age.
Source: https://erviss.org/