Headline:
Romania Reports Surge in Respiratory Infections; First Flu Death Confirmed
Article:
BUCHAREST — Romania’s National Institute of Public Health (INSP) recorded a significant increase in respiratory infections last week, with 89,109 cases reported between December 16 and 22. The country also confirmed its first flu-related death this season.
This marked a 43.1% increase from the same week last season (62,287 cases) and a 15.1% decrease from the previous week’s total (104,923 cases). The number of cases was 38% above the six-year average (excluding pandemic seasons).
The majority of these infections were categorized as clinical flu, acute respiratory infections (IACRS), and pneumonia. Nationally, 2,238 clinical flu cases were reported, compared to 2,766 in the same period last season and 1,421 in the previous week.
Additionally, 42 severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases were recorded, a decrease from the previous week (37) but an increase compared to the same period last season (27). A total of 55 lab-confirmed flu cases were reported, with virus subtypes AH1, AH3, and type A (nonsubtyped) and type B identified.
Tragically, Romania’s first flu-related death this season was confirmed. The victim was a 77-year-old man from Olt County who tested positive for the AH1 flu virus subtype. He had pre-existing medical conditions but was not vaccinated against the flu.
As of December 22, Romania’s National Immunization Registry (RENV) had recorded 1,111,749 individuals vaccinated against the flu, including 1,092,332 from eligible groups who received state-funded vaccination.
