MOSCOW, October 15. /TASS/: The first flu virus of type A (H3N2) case has been registered in Russia on the threshold of a new stage of epidemic rise of incidence, Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) head Anna Popova announced at a meeting of the department's board.
"Last week the first H3N2 flu virus was detected, the case disease brought to Russia from Egypt. So far, there are no other flu viruses in Russia. Therefore, we have time to work thoroughly on a plan of action," the press service of Rospotrebnadzor quoted Popova as saying on Saturday.
When speaking about the current epidemic situation, Popova noted that the country was on the eve of a new stage of the morbidity rise, through the situation for all respiratory infections circulating in Russia at the moment remained quite stable.
As the reports noted, influenza activity from October 2021 to May 2022 was significantly higher than in the previous season, but lower than the pre-pandemic period. "At the same time, the past season was characterized by the predominance of influenza A viruses, while the proportion of influenza B viruses remained small. The board stated that COVID-19 entered the circulation of the group of respiratory infections, disturbing the seasonality of the epidemic process of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections," the report said.
Popova also noted that in conditions of continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is necessary to elaborate new methodological approaches to the evaluation of the epidemic situation of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections. A special working group under the Rospotrebnadzor’s Scientific Council was created for this purpose.
Rospotrebnadzor head has given instructions for improvement of tools and methods of epidemiological surveillance of influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, as well as updating of regulations governing supervision in this area, the press service said.
