We are currently at the beginning of an upswing in the incidence of influenza - Perevoscikovs

RIGA - We are currently at the beginning of an increase in the incidence of influenza, Director of the Department of Risk Analysis and Prevention of Infectious Diseases of the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), Jurijs Perevoscikovs, told LETA.

At the moment, the increase in the incidence of influenza can be observed for the third week already, and 93 influenza patients were hospitalized last week. Perevoscikovs pointed out that this year, such an increase in infection levels was observed unusually early, because previously it was usually took place around January in Latvia. At the same time, he admitted that the last time such an increase in infection levels was observed so early was in December 2019, right before the Covid-19 pandemic.

"This year, not only in Latvia, but also elsewhere in the European Union, the rise can be observed quite early. According to previous years' observations, the rise continues for about four to five weeks and then reaches its maximum. After that, it gradually decreases within two months," explained Perevoscikovs.

He pointed out that in Latvia, Europe and the world for two seasons there was no increase in the incidence of influenza due to tCovid-19 restrictions. As a result, people lose their immunity within two years, while children who have not previously been exposed to the flu are now exposed to it. Mostly young children, schoolchildren, as well as people with chronic diseases and seniors are currently sick.

Currently, it is not possible to judge how far the increase in the incidence of influenza will spread, but it will be greater than before, Perevoscikovs is sure.