Intensity of “increased flu activity”, announces the Ministry of Health / Authorities confirm the first death of this season / Influenza cases have doubled in a week

The Ministry of Health (MOH) informs the population that, during this period, there is an “increased intensity of influenza activity”, with extensive geographical spread of influenza viruses and other respiratory viral infections throughout the country.

In this context, in order to prevent and limit illnesses, the Ministry of Health recommends, in a press release published on Wednesday, December 24, the observance of some measures:

General population measures

• Presentation to the family doctor at the appearance of respiratory symptoms, in order to establish the therapeutic behavior, the need for isolation at home and, as the case may be, to carry out additional investigations.
• Wearing a protective mask by people with respiratory symptoms, in the situation where it is necessary to move to the community.
• Following cough and sneeze etiquette, including the use of disposable tissues.
• Maintaining rigorous hand hygiene, by frequent washing with soap and water or the use of disinfectant solutions.
• Avoiding crowds, frequent ventilation of closed spaces and use of protective mask in high-risk contexts.
• Continuation of anti-influenza vaccination, with priority for people in the categories at risk: people over 65 years of age; pregnant; immunosuppressed people; people with chronic respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.
• Administration of antiviral anti-influenza treatment, as indicated by the doctor, especially in high-risk individuals, to reduce the likelihood of complications and severe forms of the disease.

General measures at the level of sanitary units with beds

• The wearing of appropriate protective equipment (masks, gloves, gowns) by medical personnel and other persons who come into contact with patients.
• Limiting the visiting schedule for relatives of hospitalized patients, depending on the epidemiological situation.
• Carrying out the daily epidemiological triage for medical and auxiliary personnel, with the recommendation of voluntary isolation at home of people with respiratory symptoms or their redistribution to activities that do not involve direct interaction with patients.
• Ensuring the necessary stocks of antivirals, especially in health facilities that admit cases of acute respiratory infections.
• Ensuring the necessary conditions for influenza vaccination of non-vaccinated medical and sanitary personnel.

“The Ministry of Health is constantly monitoring the evolution of the epidemiological situation and will continue to inform the population in a transparent manner, depending on the available data. Compliance with these measures is essential to protect public health and to limit the impact of respiratory infections on the health system”, writes the Ministry of Health.

First flu death this season

The National Institute of Public Health (INSP) announced, also on Wednesday, that the first death caused by the flu this season was confirmed, an 88-year-old woman from Cluj, unvaccinated, who also suffered from other ailments. Moreover, the number of flu cases registered in the week of December 15-21 was 11,174, almost double the previous week.

“In the week of 15.12.2025 – 21.12.2025 (S 51/2025) were reported: 102,655 cases of respiratory infections (clinical flu, IACRS and pneumonia), registering 3.7% more cases compared to the previous week (99,034) and 15.2% more cases compared to the same week of the previous season (89,109). The variation in addition to the calculated average of 69,708 cases from the last seasons (2018-2025, excluding the pandemic seasons) was 47.3%”, the INSP reported.

The INSP reports 11,174 cases of clinical flu nationally, compared to 5,701 registered in the previous week, five times more compared to the same week last season (2,238) and 6.9 times more than the average of the last five seasons (1,623).

Cases of clinical flu were reported by all counties, the most being in the municipality of Bucharest (1,696) and in the counties of Cluj (843), Botoşani (826), Bihor (801), Iaşi (700) and Neamţ (616).

“Considering the sequence of three weeks that evolved with a high intensity of flu activity, exceeding the average compared to previous seasons and with an extensive geographical spread of the circulation of flu viruses throughout the country, we can speak of a situation of epidemiological alert”, states INSP, according to News.ro.

There were also 62 cases of severe acute respiratory infections (SARS), 11 more than the previous week and 20 more than the same period of the previous season, and 133 cases of laboratory-confirmed influenza (60 with AH3 influenza virus, 5 with AH1 influenza virus and 68 with non-subtyped influenza A virus).

“Since the beginning of the season, 294 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza have been reported, of which: 59 cases with non-subtyped influenza virus A, 119 with influenza virus AH3, 13 with influenza virus AH1, 3 cases with influenza virus B”, mentions the INSP.

The institution also announces that the first death confirmed with influenza virus this season was communicated, an 88-year-old woman from Cluj county, having pre-existing medical conditions, but not registered in the RENV as having been vaccinated against influenza, confirmed with influenza virus type A, subtype H3.

Until 21.12.2025, a number of 1,252,642 flu vaccinations were registered in the National Electronic Register of Vaccinations (RENV) (1,227,743 being for the population groups that benefit from settlement under the compensated regime), of which 5,835 flu vaccinations in authorized community pharmacies.