The flu epidemic is receding, with 30 schools closing their gates this week

Bratislava, March 16 (TASR) – The flu epidemic is decreasing, the number of patients is decreasing. The individual regions report only its sporadic presence, informs the Office of Public Health (ÚVZ) SR. However, more than 30 schools have closed their gates and some hospitals in the Bratislava region are still banned.

During the week, doctors reported 7755 cases of flu, morbidity dropped by 22.6 percent from the previous week. However, doctors reported a total of 60,703 acute respiratory illnesses (AROs), including influenza, with morbidity down 9.3%.

“Since the start of the 2017/2018 flu season, doctors have recorded 41 cases of severe acute respiratory disease (SARI), eight of which have resulted in death.” Mikas said.

The flu season is expected to last until the 18th calendar week of this year. They especially recommend it to the chronically ill, the elderly, those with weakened immunity, or healthcare professionals.

However, other preventive measures must also be considered. ÚVZ recommends proper ventilation and washing of hands. It is also important to dress appropriately or avoid areas with a high concentration of people. Ventilation is effective and frequent, especially in kindergartens, schools and workplaces. The spread of the disease between kindergartens can be prevented with morning checkups before the child joins the team.

Sufficient rest or proper nutrition with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fluids can also help people. Some recommendations also include limiting hand administration during flu season. Tissues must be used when sneezing.

In the Trenčín region, morbidity has been declining for four weeks

Doctors from the Trenčín Self-Government Region (TSK) reported 8,337 acute respiratory diseases (AROs) this week. Morbidity decreased by 4.43% from the previous week and decreased for the fourth consecutive week. This was informed by Ľudmila Bučková, a hygienist at the Trenčín Regional Public Health Office.

The highest morbidity in ARO was this week in TSK in the Bánovce nad Bebravou district, where it reached the level of 2,936 diseases per 100,000 population. The lowest morbidity (1,461 diseases per 100,000 inhabitants) occurred in the Považská Bystrica district.

Of the total number of diseases, 1332 were influenza. Influenza morbidity decreased by 10.18% this week. The flu has bothered young people between the ages of 15 and 19 the most. Because of the flu, only this week they had to stop school in the only kindergarten in the Bánovce nad Bebravou district.