site.btaPre-peak and Peak Epidemic Levels of Influenza Likely Next Week

Pre-peak and peak epidemic levels of influenza are likely in some regions of Bulgaria next week, Chief State Health Inspector Angel Kunchev told BTA on Monday.

Currently, the incidence of influenza and acute respiratory illness is highest in the region of Haskovo (282 cases per 10,000 population), followed by Silistra (238) and Pazardzhik (212), according to data from the National Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases. The lowest levels are reported in Stara Zagora Region (47 cases per 10,000 population) and Sofia City (64).

It is up to every regional health inspectorate to decide autonomously whether to declare a flu epidemic in the respective region, Kunchev said. A flu epidemic does not necessarily mean "flu holidays" in schools, he added.