Fourteen have died from the flu in Cyprus this winter, among them an 8-year-old girl, who ended up at the Limassol General Hospital, after spending several days in the Intensive Care Unit.
According to official data from the Ministry of Health, which was secured by KYPE, the 8-year-old child was affected by Type B Flu, while it is noted that he had no other health problems.
In addition, in total the hospitalized cases of Flu amount to 440, of which 274 concern children under 15 years of age.
The officially recorded data, regarding the surveillance of the Cyprus Flu activity, concern the period from December 26, 2022 to March 6, 2023.
It is worth noting that more than 50% of cases of Flu concern children under 15 years of age.
Besides, the median age in relation to the cases of Flu that have been hospitalized in the week of February 27 to March 6 (the latest data) is 8 years.
24-year-old, 37-year-old and 48-year-old on the list of dead
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In his statements to KYPE, the Field Epidemiologist of the Ministry of Health, Valentinos Silvestros, said that the vast majority of deaths have been recorded in Limassol, while three deaths out of 14 have been recorded in Larnaca.
Specifically, the 8-year-old girl, who lost her battle with Influenza A, was admitted to the Limassol General Hospital on February 15, 2023 and died after ten days, on February 25, 2023.
Also, two deaths recorded in January concern a 24-year-old who ended up with Influenza A and a 37-year-old who ended up with Influenza B, both at the Limassol General Hospital.
Among the dead is a 48-year-old woman, as well as a 56-year-old man, who also died at the Limassol hospital.
In relation to the remaining nine deaths, they were over the age of 70, with the six recorded again in Limassol.
Referring to the cases recorded in the week of February 27 to March 6, Mr. Silvestros said that a total of 41 cases of Cypriot Influenza were hospitalized.
More specifically, he said that 24,4% were over the age of 65, 12,2% were between the ages of 40 and 65, 7,3% were between the ages of 15 and 39, while 44% were between the ages of 5 and 14. and 12,2% children under 4 years of age.
"More than 50% of Influenza cases admitted to hospitals involve children under the age of 15," said Mr. Silvestros.
Respiratory viruses 6% of total hospital admissions
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In addition, he noted that for the week of February 27 to March 6, 6% of total hospital admissions are for respiratory viruses, such as Influenza, RSV and Covid, to note that of the 6%, 3,34% are for admissions due to Influenza .
According to Valentino Silvestro, Influenza activity remains high in the community, while at the moment the presence of Influenza B "is stronger".
It is noted that the recorded figures of the Ministry of Health refer only to the cases, which have been hospitalized - and not to general cases in the community - for which the Ministry of Health does not keep data and which may be more.
Still in full swing, says Koliou
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KYPE contacted earlier the Assistant Professor of Paediatrics-Infectiology at the Medical School of the University of Cyprus, Dr. Maria Koliou, who said that Cyprus is still in an outbreak phase.
As he said, the admissions of children to the Makarios Hospital are increased, to note that the Flu acts as an aggravating factor in respiratory infections, while potentially worsening other diseases.
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