Flu epidemic announced in Latvia

Take note – story published 1 year ago

Since in two cities – Rīga and Jūrmala – the influenza figures are above the epidemic threshold, the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC) announced the beginning of the influenza epidemic on Thursday, December 8.

In addition, compared to other years, an uncommonly high number of patients who have been treated with symptoms of respiratory infectious disease and who have had pneumonia have been observed.

SPKC reported that the number of patients suspected of having influenza has increased by 88.1% since mid-November.

On average, there have been 64.9 cases of influenza per 100,000 inhabitants in the country. In two monitoring cities, this indicator exceeds the epidemic threshold: in Rīga (144.2 per 100,000 inhabitants) and in Jūrmala (125.9 per 100,000 inhabitants).

Eight hospitals included in the monitoring were reported to have hospitalized flu patients last week. Overall, with confirmed influenza diagnosis, 23 patients have been hospitalized in different age groups: 2 patients aged 0-4 years, 5 patients aged 5-14 years, 8 patients aged 15-64 years, and 8 in the age group 65 +.

Currently, vaccination against influenza is paid for by the State for the following groups:

  • all children under 17 years of age (inclusive);
  • children and adults with chronic illness;
  • pregnant women;
  • medical practitioners and medical practitioners who, in the performance of their duties, are in close contact with patients;
  • workers of long-term social care centers who are in close contact with their clients in the performance of their duties;
  • customers of long-term social care centers;
  • persons aged 50 years and over;
  • persons belonging to health risk groups.
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