ANSP ensures the monitoring of the epidemiological situation through influenza and acute respiratory tract infections
According to the data reported in the European Surveillance System (TESSy — The European Surveillance System (https://flunewseurope.org/)), for the week of 05/2023 (period 30.01.2023-05.02.2023), at European level, the number of samples from patients with influenza symptoms or acute upper respiratory infections (IACRS) who tested positive for an influenza virus remained above the epidemic threshold (10%), constituting 24%, compared to 22% compared to the previous week.
During the mentioned period, 33 out of 38 countries or areas reported a high or medium intensity of influenza activity, indicating an extensive circulation of the seasonal influenza virus throughout the European region. We note that both influenza A and B viruses were detected, with the A(H1N1)pdm09 virus predominating in both sentinel and non-sentinel surveillance systems.
In the Republic of Moldova, in the period 07.02.22-13.02.22 (week 06/2023), the morbidity through IACRS was at the level of medium intensity, with an increase of 11.7% compared to the previous week and constituted 432 ,26 cases per 100 thousand population. 11,256 cases of IACRS were registered, including in the municipality of Chisinau – 4,078 cases (36%). Of the total number of patients with IACRS, 59% are children aged up to 14 years.
Also, 97 cases of seasonal flu were reported (municipality of Chisinau — 77 cases, Căușeni — 4 cases, Balti and Călărași — 3 cases each, Soroca and Comrat — 2 cases each, Briceni, Cahul, Edineț, Nisporeni, Ștefan Vodă and Taraclia — 1 case each No flu deaths were recorded.
The share of cases of severe acute respiratory infections (SARS), from the total number of hospitalizations in medical institutions, regardless of the cause, varied between 2.9% – 4.2%.
From the beginning of the monitoring period (03.10.2022 – 12.02.2023, weeks 40/2022-06/2023) were registered: 1539 cases of influenza; 192 532 cases of IACRS and 7993 cases of SARI.
ANSP recommends the population to respect the preventive measures to avoid diseases, or early detection, (physical distance, personal hygiene, cough and sneeze hygiene, hand hygiene, airing rooms, wearing masks in public transport and in crowded places, going to the doctor when symptoms appear compatible with influenza and IACRS (fever, cough, headache, weakness)).
Public health experts recommend extending the morning screening in early childhood education institutions by checking temperature and signs/symptoms of acute viral respiratory illness.
