site.btaHealth Minister, Regional Health Inspectorates Directors Discuss Current Epidemiological Situation

From January 5 to 11, a total of 72 positive samples for influenza viruses were confirmed in the country by the National Reference Laboratory for Influenza and Acute Respiratory Diseases (ARDs), the press centre of the Ministry of Health reported on Tuesday. The data was shared at a meeting between outgoing Health Minister Silvi Kirilov and the directors of the 28 Regional Health Inspectorates.

The meeting discussed the current epidemiological situation in the country, as well as morbidity data showing an increase in the number of registered ARDs. Over the past week, the overall morbidity rate for the country stood at 133.17 per 10,000 population.

In recent weeks, a high circulation of influenza type A/H3N2 has been observed in a number of European Union countries. The number of confirmed cases is also increasing in Bulgaria, which is why heightened attention to influenza and ARD surveillance is necessary in the coming weeks, the Health Ministry added.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Health Minister Dobromira Kareva, Chief State Health Inspector Angel Kunchev, and Ilia Tasev, head of the Public Health Protection Directorate. They discussed the pace of development and circulation of influenza viruses, the impact on different age groups, hospitalisation levels, as well as the procedure for introducing temporary anti-epidemic measures and declaring a flu epidemic. The newly created position of State Health Inspector within the Ministry of Health and the Regional Health Inspectorates was also discussed.

According to Assoc. Prof. Kunchev, elevated influenza activity is currently being reported in Burgas, Dobrich and Silistra.