Flu epidemic underway in Latvia

RIGA - The Center for Disease Prevention and Control has declared the start of this winter’s flu epidemic, BNS was told at the center.

The health authority declared the start of the flu epidemic after four Latvia’s cities reported more than 100 flu cases per 100,000 inhabitants last week, exceeding the epidemic threshold.

The highest flu incidence, or 194.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, was reported in the eastern Latvian town of Jekabpils. The epidemic threshold was also exceeded in Jurmala, Riga, and Liepaja.

New cases of influenza were also reported in Daugavpils, Jelgava, and Ventspils last week.

Altogether 102 flu patients were taken to hospitals last week, including 88 in Riga. In all, 252 patients have been hospitalized with the flu since the beginning of the flu season.