While Europe stands on the threshold of a flu epidemic, the Czech Republic is likely to avoid a major outbreak before the holiday season. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the situation in the Czech Republic, though gradually worsening, remains within typical seasonal parameters.
Recent data shows only a slight increase in respiratory infections across the country, with 1,577 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The South Moravian Region currently reports the highest number of cases. While flu-related illnesses have shown a more noticeable uptick, with cases rising by approximately 10% week-over-week, experts remain optimistic about the pre-holiday period.
“Based on current trends, it’s relatively unlikely that an extensive flu epidemic will emerge before the Christmas holidays,” states Jan Kynčl, head of the Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the State Health Institute (SZÚ).
The Czech Republic is currently experiencing a mix of respiratory pathogens, including mycoplasma, influenza viruses, and various non-influenza respiratory viruses, including RS viruses. Meanwhile, Europe has recorded flu positivity rates exceeding the 10% threshold for two consecutive weeks, meeting the WHO and ECDC criteria for the start of an epidemic.