Virological testing for the current season shows that influenza viruses have already begun circulating in Latvia, with three laboratory-confirmed flu cases recorded. A patient suffering from complications caused by influenza is also already being treated at the Latvian Centre of Infectious Diseases.
Professor Baiba Rozentāle says influenza circulation has begun early this year, raising the possibility that the flu epidemic could also start earlier than usual.
Data from Riga East University Hospital on the previous flu season show that influenza can cause severe illness in some patients, requiring hospital treatment and potentially leading to life-threatening complications. Between October 2025 and May 2026, influenza was detected in 582 patients treated at the hospital, 46 of whom died as a result of the disease.
Based on the experience of the previous season, infectious disease specialists at Riga East University Hospital are urging people to take timely measures to prevent influenza, particularly those in high-risk groups.
Of the 582 hospitalised patients diagnosed with influenza during the previous flu season, it was the primary diagnosis in 357 cases, a secondary diagnosis in 223 cases and a complication in two cases.
The largest number of patients were treated during the winter months:
133 in December 2025, 158 in January 2026, 126 in February and 112 in March.
Hospital data show that influenza has a particularly severe impact on older people and patients with underlying health conditions. Of all hospitalised flu patients, 250 were aged between 60 and 79, while 197 were aged 80 or older. This means that more than three-quarters – 447 of the 582 patients – were aged 60 or above.
The disease was particularly severe among patients who developed pneumonia as a result of influenza. During the previous season, Riga East University Hospital treated 202 such patients, 30 of whom – approximately 15% – died.
“Influenza can be much more serious than a fever and feeling unwell. At the hospital, we see patients with severe illness and complications, and unfortunately, for some patients the disease proves fatal. People in high-risk groups are particularly vulnerable, which is why vaccination offers an opportunity to significantly reduce the risk of severe influenza,” stresses Professor Baiba Rozentāle, Chief Physician of the Latvian Centre of Infectious Diseases at Riga East University Hospital.
High-risk groups include people aged 60 and over,
as well as patients with chronic heart, lung, kidney and liver diseases, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Particular attention to flu prevention should also be paid by people with weakened immune systems, including transplant and cancer patients, people living with HIV, as well as patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy or taking corticosteroids to treat other conditions.
Healthcare professionals and employees of social care institutions who provide daily care to patients are also considered to be at increased risk.
In line with World Health Organization recommendations, people in high-risk groups are advised to receive their flu vaccination in October or November. Vaccination should not be carried out during the acute phase of an illness, but can be administered after recovery.
Young and healthy people may also choose to be vaccinated against influenza.
Once vaccines for the 2026/2027 flu season become available in Latvia, vaccination will also be offered at the Vaccination Office of the outpatient department of the Latvian Centre of Infectious Diseases at Riga East University Hospital.
The higher-dose vaccine intended for people aged 60 and over is expected to become available in early October, while vaccines for other groups are expected in early November.
People in high-risk groups whose flu vaccination is covered by the state will not need a referral from their family doctor, as information about chronic illnesses is available in the national health information system.
People who do not belong to state-funded risk groups will also be able to receive the vaccine as a paid service in accordance with Riga East University Hospital’s price list.
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