In the second week of this year, the epidemiological situation of influenza in Latvia indicates a high level of flu activity, and monitoring data confirm that the influenza virus continues to circulate widely in the community, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) reports.
Monitoring data show that during the past week the incidence of influenza continued to decline, but it remains at a high level (268.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with 316.4 per 100,000 inhabitants the previous week). Influenza cases were registered in all 10 monitoring territories, with the highest incidence still observed in Jelgava (944.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) and Jēkabpils municipality (590.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants).
As in previous seasons, the highest incidence of influenza is observed among children under the age of 14.
At the same time, following the holiday period, the number of other acute respiratory infections has increased sharply. In the second week, visits to outpatient medical facilities for acute respiratory infections rose 2.2 times compared with the previous week. A significant increase was also observed in pneumonia cases, with incidence exceeding both the previous week and pre-holiday levels, showing a marked rise among seniors (aged 65 and over).
The proportion of hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory infections among all admitted patients decreased slightly last week (to 3.9%). However,
seniors aged over 65 still make up the largest share of hospitalized patients,
confirming an increased risk of severe illness in this age group.
Laboratory data indicate that in the second week the influenza virus was confirmed in 10.5% of tested samples. Since the beginning of the season, all confirmed influenza viruses identified at the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory have been type A, with the A/H3 subtype predominating (82.4%).
SPKC also reports that in the second week of 2026 the proportion of positive COVID-19 tests increased, reaching 7.5% (compared with 5.4% the previous week). The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 has increased, and five deaths among patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection were recorded during the past week.
Meanwhile, wastewater monitoring results indicate stabilization and a moderate decrease in the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA.
Given the simultaneous circulation of influenza, other respiratory infections, and COVID-19,
SPKC urges residents to follow preventive measures: wash hands regularly, ventilate indoor spaces, avoid crowded places,
and use medical face masks or respirators when necessary. In the event of illness, people are advised to stay at home, contact their family doctor, and follow medical advice to reduce the spread of infection.
Vaccination against influenza remains the most effective way to protect against severe illness and complications. As influenza typically continues to circulate until spring, vaccination is recommended even during the epidemic period. In mid-December, an additional 6,000 doses of influenza vaccine were delivered in Latvia and distributed to medical institutions and vaccination centers that placed additional orders. Residents are encouraged to contact their family doctor to find out whether vaccines are still available at their practice. The SPKC website provides and regularly updates a list of medical institutions where patients in risk groups can receive state-funded influenza vaccination even if vaccines are no longer available at their family doctor’s practice.
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