In the second week of this year, the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) reached 1,583 per 100,000 inhabitants, which represents an increase of 71 percent compared to the previous week.
Although the morbidity statistics for the previous week were significantly affected by the New Year holidays and the percentage comparison is not entirely meaningful, the current total morbidity in a single week reached the level of morbidity recorded in the pre-Christmas period. It is therefore clear that the influenza epidemic is still ongoing in the Czech Republic.
“When comparing the relative morbidity before Christmas and now, we currently see a significant increase in morbidity, especially in adults in the age group 25-64 and also over 65. Currently, the highest ARI morbidity is reported from the Zlín, Pilsen and Moravian-Silesian regions,” specified MUDr. Jan Kynčl, Ph.D., head of the Department of Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases at the SZÚ.
In the current flu season, a total of 151 clinically serious cases of influenza infection requiring hospitalization in intensive care have been reported as of January 9. 49 people have died from the infection. The majority, 44, are in the age group of adults 65 and older.
“It is really not advisable to underestimate the flu. Especially for the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, it can cause serious and even life-threatening complications. Let’s not neglect prevention. Let’s use FFP2 class respirators to protect ourselves and our loved ones. This barrier protection against acute respiratory infections is particularly suitable in enclosed spaces with a large concentration of people, for example in public transport, shopping centres and the like. A respirator should be a given when visiting doctors’ offices, hospitals, senior citizens’ homes or pharmacies. Let’s be considerate of each other, also follow respiratory etiquette and wash our hands often. Let’s protect the elderly and not let them look after sick children. It can be assumed that the epidemic incidence of flu will persist in the coming period,” warns the chief hygienist and director of the State Institute of Health, MUDr. Barbora Macková, MHA.
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“In virological surveillance, the detection of influenza type A continues to significantly dominate. In the Czech Republic, the type A/H3N2 belonging to the new subclade K clearly prevails. The detection of the SARS-CoV 2 virus has remained between 5-8% of positive samples in the last month. A further slight increase against the background of the influenza epidemic is not ruled out, in connection with the onset of the new variant (BA.3.,2.x) and the variants derived from it (RE.x), which are collectively referred to as the Cicada. These variants are better able to evade antibodies after previous illnesses, and the clinical course does not show any differences yet, “ describes the situation on behalf of the National Reference Laboratory for Influenza and Non-Influenza Viral Respiratory Diseases, virologist RNDr. Helena Jiřincová.