A total of 201 cases of flu have been reported in Croatia since the start of the new season of epidemiological surveillance, the Croatian Public Health Institute (HZJZ) announced. 79 cases were reported during the past week alone, indicating that the number of infections is increasing.
Flu cases have so far been recorded in around 10 Croatian counties. The highest rate of reported cases per 100,000 inhabitants was recorded in Dubrovnik-Neretva County. Among age groups, the highest rate of illness is in preschool children.
According to data from the HZJZ National Reference Centre for Influenza, the influenza A virus has been sporadically confirmed in laboratory samples. Among the laboratory-confirmed samples, the influenza A virus predominates. According to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), sporadic cases of flu are also being recorded in other European Union countries.
Flu appeared very early in Croatia this year, already in the second half of August. Among the first to fall ill were high school students who returned from graduation trips, particularly from Spain. The new season of epidemiological surveillance for flu began at the end of September.
More intense spread of the disease in Croatia is expected during the winter months, most commonly from December to March. Flu vaccination in Croatia is expected to begin in early November, a few days after the delivery of vaccines, according to previous announcements by the HZJZ.
