A major outbreak this spring is unlikely in Latvia, said P.Stradins Clinical University Hospital infectologist and University of Latvia Professor Uga Dumpis, commenting on the first cases of flu recorded in Latvia so far.
He explained flu in Latvia has appeared relatively late this year. So far flu has reached a level of epidemic only in Daugavpils. «This should not last long, since flu is a seasonal illness. We are unlikely to see an enormous epidemic this spring,» said the infectologist.
He also admitted that reduction of Covid-19 restrictions is one of the reasons for the rapid spread of flu, because it is less infectious than Covid-19.
Dumpis said it is unlikely flu will turn out «more aggressive» when compared to previous years.
«People have not had flu for two years, and so their immune system is weakened. We may see more infections. But it is unlikely we will see an enormous flu outbreak this spring,» stressed Dumpis, adding that the flu season will end in April or May.
The Disease Prevention and Monitoring Centre reported this week that the flu season has begun in Latvia.
The number of patients in Daugavpils diagnosed with flu reached 384.1 cases per 100 000 residents on the tenth week of 2022.
Last week flu cases were also registered in Liepaja, where intensity was 39.6 cases per 100 000 residents. The average flu intensity registered in Latvia on the tenth week of 2022 was 56.7 cases per 100 000 residents, which is the highest intensity since the start of the season.
Last week 32 patients were hospitalized with flu in Daugavpils. Only one patients with suspicion of having flu was hospitalized in Jekabpils. Since the start of the season this year this is the largest number of flu patients hospitalized so far.
Of the hospitalized patients ten were under the age of four, 13 were five to 14 years old, eight were 15 to 64 years old, and two were older than 65.
Flu monitoring network data in Europe shows that in the ninth week of 2022 ten countries reported increased flu spread and moderate intensity: Estonia, France, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, Turkey and Scotland.
Slovenia reported the highest percentage of positive samples (61%). Hungary reported 47%, France – 46%, Luxembourg – 41%, Norway – 31, Spain – 28, Switzerland – 11%. Both Scotland and Moldova reported 10%.
Flu monitoring confirms activity of A and B type viruses. A/H3 variant is the dominant variant reported across all monitoring systems.
Infectologist says major flu outbreak is unlikely in Latvia this spring
