Skopje, 2 February 2024 (MIA) - The Public Health Institute has released its latest report, revealing a resurge in flu cases nationwide. Across three reporting units that recorded cases this week, flu activity is noted as very low in eight, moderate in twelve, high in Debar, and very high in three - Resen, Kavadarci, and Kratovo.

According to a Public Health Institute’s report for the period from Jan. 22 to Jan. 28, 2024, North Macedonia has registered 1,834 flu cases, which is a 9.5 percent increase compared to the previous week.

The number of reported cases in the fourth week of 2024, compared to the fourth week of last season, is up by 2.1 percent, according to the report.

Out of 67 tests carried out in the Institute's laboratory, 20 people tested positive for Influenza, 14 А(H1)pdm09, 2 Influenza А(H3) and 1 Influenza B - non-subtype. In addition, there was one case of SARS-CoV-2.

In terms of age groups, 982 cases were registered in those aged 15-64, 342 were children aged up to 4 years old, 256 were children aged 5-14, and 254 people aged over 65.

The highest incidence was registered among children aged up to 4 years.

The majority of the cases were registered in Skopje-238, followed by Bitola-196, Kavadarci-184, with the number of registered cases in other cities at ≤150.

Moreover, two-flu related deaths were registered during this week. The patients, aged 20 to 36, from Skopje and Demir Hisar, died due to flu-related complications had underlying medical conditions, including hematological and cardiovascular issues as well as obesity. They had not received the seasonal flu vaccine.

The Public Health Institute registered 7,009 flu-like cases in the 2023/2024 season.

The Institute underscores that vaccination remains the most effective protection against seasonal flu. As of the fourth week of 2024, a total of 61,543 individuals in North Macedonia have been vaccinated.

Photo: MIA archive