According to the monitoring data of the State institution "Lviv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine" for the 4th week of 2023 (January 23-29, 2023), 7,360 cases of acute respiratory viral infections were registered (293.6 per 100,000 population .) compared to 6,965 cases (277.9 per 100,000 population) in the previous week – an increase of 5.4%. The intensive incidence rate for the 4th week of 2023 is 32.4% below the epidemic threshold of 434.07. The dynamics of the incidence of influenza and SARS for the 2022-2023 epidemic season in comparison with last year's season and the levels of epidemic thresholds (average, high and very high) are shown in img 1.
Img 1. Dynamics of the incidence of influenza and SARS (per 100,000 population) in the Lviv region for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 epidemic seasons. In the structure of morbidity, the specific weight of children under 17 years of age was 44.5% - 3276 people, which is at the level of last week (img 2).
Img2. Age distribution of the incidence of influenza and SARS (%) in the Lviv region for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 epidemic seasons.
In the city of Lviv for the 4th week of 2023 3,282 people fell ill (429.0 per 100,000 population) against 3,048 in the 3rd week of 2022 (398.4 per 100,000 population). There is a 7.1% increase in the incidence of SARS and influenza. The epidemic threshold has not been exceeded (the epidemic threshold calculated for the city of Lviv is 615.2). The specific gravity of sick children under the age of 17 is 40.8%, which is at the level of last week.
The main share of all cases was registered in the Lviv district - 64.6%. In Stryi district - 9.4%, Yavorivskyi - 8.5%, Drohobytskyi - 5.5%, Zolochivskyi - 4.7%, Sambirskyi - 4.3%, Chervonohradskyi - 3.0%.
The level of morbidity in the section of the districts of the Lviv region in comparison with the epidemic thresholds is shown in img 3.
Img 3. The incidence rate of SARS and influenza by district in the Lviv region.
Since the beginning of the epidemic season, the circulation of influenza viruses has been determined in 1,071 cases, including influenza A viruses - 1063, influenza B viruses - 8, as well as rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, RS-viruses, metapneumoviruses, and parainfluenza viruses.
According to the results of epidural investigations, it was established that the following symptoms are the most common: sudden onset of the disease, an increase in body temperature up to 38 °C or more, headache, strong dry exhausting cough, muscle pain.
Taking into account the forecast of the World Health Organization in the 2022-2023 epidemic season, the circulation of four strains of influenza viruses is predicted in Ukraine:
virus similar to A/Victoria/2570/2019(H1N1)pdm09;
virus similar to A/Darvin/9/2021(H3N2);
virus similar to B/Austria/1359417/2021 (lineage B Victoria);
virus similar to B/Phuket/3073/2013 (lineage B/Yamagata).
Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing influenza
Influenza vaccination is one of the recommended vaccinations.
Vaccination is desirable for everyone, but first of all for persons from risk groups: with chronic diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, kidneys, obesity, diabetes, pregnant women, persons over 65 years old who are in long-term care facilities, children aged 6 months . - 5 years, for the staff of medical institutions, employees of educational institutions, transport, trade, etc.
Vaccines against COVID-19 can be administered at the same time as inactivated influenza vaccine during the same visit in different extremities.
The vaccine can be purchased with the money of local budgets, enterprises or citizens' own funds.
Influenza vaccines are available in networks of the Lviv region:
"Vaxigrip Tetra" (manufacturer — "Sanofi Pasteur", France, tetravalent);
"JC Flu Quadrivalent" (Green Cross Corporation, South Korea, quadrivalent);
Vaccines "Vaksigrip Tetra" and "Gsy Flu Quadrivalent" can be used to vaccinate children over the age of six months.
According to the reports of health care institutions, since the beginning of the epidemic season, 12,969 people have been vaccinated against influenza in the Lviv region, including from the risk group – 5511, medics – 3834 (Fig. 4). In the 4th week of 2023, 109 people were vaccinated, including from the risk group - 80.
Img 4. Specific weight of influenza vaccinations among risk groups since the beginning of the 2022-2023 epidemic season
During the 4th week of 2023, 2,670 tests for COVID-19 were conducted, of which 123 were positive. 1 fatal case from COVID-19 was registered during the week. There are 118 patients in the hospital. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 325,160 cases of COVID-19 have been registered in Lviv region. Lethal - 6852.
1,090,899 people were vaccinated against coronavirus with one dose, 1,031,384 people received the second dose, 186,244 people received the first booster, and 11,817 residents of Lviv Oblast received the second booster.
We remind you of effective methods of prevention to reduce the risk of the disease:
Try to stay as little as possible with people who have symptoms of acute respiratory diseases. Avoid crowded places, mass events.
If you are sick, stay at home. Influenza and SARS are quickly transmitted to others, so being in crowded places will contribute to the spread of the infection.
Cover your nose and mouth when you cough and sneeze with your elbow or a tissue to reduce the chance of infection.
Frequent hand washing and the use of alcohol-based antiseptics will help protect against germs.
Try not to touch your face with your hands, because the virus penetrates through mucous membranes, including eyes
Observe hygienic requirements in the premises: regularly ventilate, clean and disinfect surfaces.
Strengthen immunity - get vaccinated against the flu; use non-specific means to increase the body's resistance - sufficient sleep, physical activity, rational nutrition and drinking regime.
Dress according to the weather.
Do not self-medicate, but consult your family doctor.
The newsletter "Influenza and SARS in Ukraine" for the 3rd week (January 16 - 22, 2023) can be viewed at the following link:
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