Armenia reports uptick in acute respiratory infections across age groups

Armenia recorded a rise in acute respiratory infections across all age groups during the seventh week of 2026, according to a study by the Heratsi Research Center.

Data from the Heratsi Hospital Complex No.1, Muratsan Hospital Complex and Mikayelyan Institute of Surgery show 78 patients with acute respiratory infections (SARI) were hospitalized from Feb. 9–15, an 18% increase from the previous week. Severe cases accounted for 9% of total hospitalizations, up from 7.4% a week earlier.

Children under age 5 represented 55% of severe cases, or 43 patients, compared with 50% the previous week. Patients ages 5-14 accounted for 40% of cases, while those 15-29 made up 4% and those 30-64 accounted for 1%. Four patients under 5 were admitted to intensive care.

Eight new severe cases were tested for influenza during the reporting period. No deaths were reported among hospitalized patients.

Health authorities said respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, metapneumovirus and parainfluenza continue to circulate in the country.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, influenza activity across the region declined between Feb. 2 and Feb. 8 from levels seen earlier in the season, both in primary care and hospital settings.

Most hospitalizations regionally involved people aged 65 and over. Influenza A (H3) remained the dominant strain, accounting for 77% of cases, while influenza A (H1) made up 23%. The regional influenza test positivity rate stood at 28%, down from 33% the previous week and above the 10% epidemic threshold. In 31 countries, the average positivity rate was 13%, with 22 countries reporting rates of at least 10%.

Regional SARS-CoV-2 activity remained at 3%. Respiratory syncytial virus activity was largely unchanged from the previous week, with a 10% positivity rate, and children under 5 accounting for most cases.