Armenia sees rise in acute respiratory infections

Armenia recorded an increase in acute respiratory infections (SARI) last week, with new hospitalizations rising 60% compared with the previous week, according to health officials.

Data from Yerevan State Medical University’s Heratsi No. 1 and Muratsan hospital complexes and the Mikaelyan Institute of Surgery show that 77 new severe cases were registered during the fourth week of 2026 (January 19-25). Severe cases accounted for 8.4% of all respiratory infection hospitalizations, up from 5.4% a week earlier.

Children made up all severe cases: 46.7% were under age 5 and 53.3% were aged 5-14. Three patients, all under 5, were admitted to intensive care units. No deaths were reported among hospitalized patients.

The Heratsi Research Center reported that seven of the new severe cases were tested for influenza during the period.

Health authorities said influenza A(H3N2) and A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses continue to circulate in Armenia, alongside rhinovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza and bocavirus.

At the regional level, influenza activity between January 12 and 18 remained largely unchanged from the previous week, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Adults 65 and older accounted for the largest share of influenza-related hospitalizations. Influenza A(H3) remained the dominant strain at 76%, while A(H1) accounted for 24%.

Regionwide, influenza test positivity remained well above the epidemic threshold, at 32%, similar to the previous week. The average positivity rate across 27 countries was 34%, while 29 countries reported rates of at least 10%.

Regional SARS-CoV-2 activity remained low at 3%. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity continued to rise, with RSV-positive samples reaching 9% and a notable increase in hospitalizations, particularly among children under 5.