Cold and flu morbidity rises by 50% in Russia over past week - Rospotrebnadzor

MOSCOW. Jan 17 (Interfax) - Cold and flu morbidity has risen by 53% in Russia week-on-week as social activity resumed and doctors started seeing more patients after the New Year holidays, the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) said.

"Cold and flu morbidity is continuing to rise in Russia. Almost 893,000 cold and flu cases were recorded in the Russian territory on the second week of 2023, up 53% from the week before," the Rospotrebnadzor press service said.

It explained growing cold and flu morbidity with resumed social activity and an increase in appointments with doctors after the holidays.

Flu remains the predominant respiratory virus in circulation, which accounts for almost 76% of cases. The most common flu type is A(H1N1)2009, also known as swine flu. The number of type-B flu cases has also been on the rise.

RS viruses, metapneumoviruses, and rhinoviruses are in the lead among other respiratory infections of non-influenza etiology. Russian regions are continuing to take preventive and anti-epidemic measures.