Ten deaths from flu complications have been recorded so far this year in Cyprus, while the first infant death from the respiratory syncytial virus RSV was also recorded, the Director of Medical Services of the Ministry of Health, Elisabeth Constantinou, told CNA.
According to Ms. Constantinou, the ten cases, which mainly concern vulnerable elderly people with comorbidities, were admitted to the hospital, with the main cause being influenza, while the infant was admitted to Makarios Hospital with the main cause being RSV. She noted that the final cause of death will be determined in the near future.
The final cause of death is determined by special procedures by the World Health Organization, through specific software systems.
Regarding the death from RSV, Ms. Constantinou told CNA that it was a two-month-old infant with serious underlying diseases, who ended up in the Children's Intensive Care Unit of Makarios Hospital.
Vaccination of the elderly and vulnerable at 75%
As the Director of Medical Services stated, "in recent years, after the lifting of coronavirus measures, there has been an increase in influenza cases - not only in Cyprus, but also in other European countries - along with a simultaneous increase in deaths."
Referring to vaccinations, she said that they are at very good levels, noting that based on calculations, they have covered at least 75% of the elderly and vulnerable with vaccination.
Furthermore, he said that personal doctors and vaccination centers are still continuing to vaccinate.
A total of 162 admissions to public and private hospitals
Moreover, Ms. Constantinou said that since January 1, 2025, there have been 95 admissions of flu cases to public hospitals and 67 admissions of cases to private hospitals, noting that the eight deaths with the main cause of influenza were recorded in the public sector, while the two in the private sector.
He added that two of the deaths were recorded at the end of December 2024 and the remaining eight in the first fortnight of January 2025.
Source: KYPE
