Influenza

The Regional Health Inspectorate in Stara Zagora expects the incidence of influenza and acute respiratory diseases (ARIs) to exceed 330 per 10,000 people in the coming week and suggested to the members of the Regional Influenza Control Staff that an epidemic be declared for the period January 17-23 incl.

Despite the intensity of influenza this winter, the number of people getting flu vaccinations in Greece remains at disproportionately low levels, health authorities have noted.

Tellingly, according to estimates, 3 million citizens have received the flu vaccine, a number clearly lower than in 2020-2021.

XBB.1.5, the latest Omicron Covid subvariant that has been nicknamed "Kraken", has arrived in Greece, with six cases being detected last week, the National Organization for Public Health's (EODY) weekly epidemiological report for respiratory infections has said.

All six samples were detected in Attica, specifically in the western and northern areas of Athens.

A flu epidemic has been declared in Shumen as of today, after this also happened in Burgas. Classes in Shumen are suspended from January 13 to 17, RHI director Dr. Pepa Kaloyanova announced for BTA. Temporary anti-epidemic measures are being introduced on the territory of the region.

Before we even get to the subject of shortages of economic resources for socio-economic development, there is another, more serious issue that plagues Greece: It is a problem of priorities and choices, of how we use the limited resources we do have.

Post-Covid autopsies performed on those who died from this virus indicate its existence throughout the body, including the lungs, heart, spleen, kidneys, liver, colon, chest, muscles, nerves, reproductive tract, and eye, but also the brain, Science Alert reported.

Significant growth of flu patients in Burgas. The region is on the brink of an influenza epidemic. An extraordinary meeting of the District Crisis Staff is expected today, which will decide whether to declare a holiday for students.

Schools will open as planned on Monday, the Education Ministry has confirmed, responding to speculation that the start of the new semester after the holiday break may be delayed by the spike in Covid and other respiratory infections among children recorded in recent weeks.

Weighing in on the measures taken in Europe regarding travelers from China due to the coronavirus situation there, Gikas Magiorkinis, a professor of epidemiology and a member of the expert committee advising the Ministry of Health, said they are "a bit excessive."

Medical experts have observed the first signs of easing in the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and other seasonal viral infections in children in recent days, following an intense and escalating outbreak.