An influenza epidemic has begun in Latvia, according to the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC).
The SPKC announced the start of the influenza epidemic on Tuesday, the 9th of December, based on information from the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL) regarding influenza monitoring data.
From the 1st to the 7th of December, the proportion of positive influenza samples tested by NMRL rose sharply to 18.1%, compared with 9.1% the previous week. This means the epidemic threshold has been exceeded.
SPKC continues to compile other influenza monitoring data for this period, which will be published in the weekly report.
Specialists remind the public that the most severe cases of influenza occur among seniors and people with chronic conditions — cardiovascular, lung and kidney diseases, diabetes, cancer patients, individuals with chronic infections, and those with weakened immune systems. Influenza is also particularly dangerous for young children and pregnant women.
THE BEST PROTECTION AGAINST INFLUENZA AND INFLUENZA-RELATED COMPLICATIONS IS VACCINATION.
Since immunity develops 10 to 14 days after vaccination and influenza circulation typically lasts until the end of May, it is not too late to get vaccinated even during the epidemic — especially for people who are planning to receive healthcare services, such as scheduled surgeries or inpatient treatment, specialists emphasize.
The SPKC website contains information on which healthcare institutions provide state-funded influenza vaccination for patients in risk groups, in cases where vaccines are not available at the patient’s general practitioner. The list is regularly updated according to vaccine availability, SPKC notes.
To reduce the risk of infection, general preventive measures should also be followed. Specialists recommend avoiding crowded public places as much as possible, limiting the use of public transport, and washing or disinfecting hands frequently and thoroughly. It is also important to avoid touching the face with unclean hands.
Experts additionally urge the public to follow proper respiratory and cough etiquette
— cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow, and then wash your hands. Indoor spaces should be regularly ventilated, and frequently touched surfaces disinfected.
SPKC emphasizes the importance of avoiding direct contact with sick individuals and maintaining physical distancing in public settings wherever possible. Under conditions of heightened infection risk, especially for those belonging to risk groups, the use of medical masks or respirators covering the nose and chin is recommended.
For patients with symptoms of acute respiratory illness, it is important to stay at home, contact a doctor by phone, and follow medical advice, specialists remind.
During the influenza epidemic, home visits by general practitioners to influenza patients are covered by the state — if the patient lives within the doctor’s primary catchment area. These patients must pay the standard state-set co-payment of 2.85 euros for the visit.
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