Flu epidemic picks up in Latvia

Last week’s monitoring for fly, Covid-19 and other acute upper respiratory infections indicate a moderately rapid increase in the number of flue infection cases in Latvia.
Last week family doctor practices participating in monitoring received 917 patients with symptoms of acute upper respiratory infections. 319 of them were diagnosed with flu (185 a week prior).
1 180.7 cases per 100 000 residents were registered in Ventspils, in Riga – 604.7, in Liepaja – 429, in Jurmala – 380.9, in Jelgava – 197.1, in Daugavpils – 169, in Jekabpils region – 116.5, in Rezekne – 144.1, and in Valmiera region – 106.5 such cases.
Infection rates were the highest last week in the age group under four years. Last week there were 48 flu infection cases confirmed in laboratory tests. In 46 of them A-Type flu was found. B-Type flu was found in two cases. A week prior there were 29 flu infections cases confirmed in laboratory tests.
At the start of monitoring efforts there were reports received about 11 deaths confirmed to had been caused by flu infection. All 11 of those people suffered from other diseases on top of flu. None of them were vaccinated for flu.
SPKC reports that many countries in the European Union and the European Economic Area (EU/EEA) are experiencing a significant increase in acute respiratory infections in primary care and most EU/EEA countries are reporting flu activity above average level.
The average proportion of positive flu tests in EU/EEA was 31% (22% a week prior).
The number of Covid-19 infection cases did not change between weeks – there were 96 Covid-19 infection cases confirmed in laboratory tests. There were 1 039 laboratory tests performed for SARS-CoV-2 virus. The number hospitalised Covid-19 patients went up from 84 to 97.
SPKC reminds that Covid-19 and flu infection often leads to a significant exacerbation of chronic diseases that require hospitalisation and can lead to death.
To reduce the risk of severe infection, hospitalisation and lethal outcome, it is recommended for residents to vaccinate for flu and Covid-19. Vaccination is especially recommended to people in risk groups.
SPKC warns that high flu infection rates will likely remain until the end of spring. Epidemiologists stress that it is possible to vaccinate for Covid-19 and flue at the same time.
SPKC reports that 114 907 people have already vaccinated for flu and 33 717 have vaccinated for Covid-19 this season.
The flu epidemic started in Latvia on the 12th of January.
Also read: Number of deaths in Latvia frighteningly exceed births in 2023
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