Armenia sees rise in respiratory infections among young children

Armenia recorded 78 new cases of severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) on 2-8 March, a slight increase of 2% compared with the previous week, according to figures from the Heratsi Hospital Complex and the Mikayelyan Institute of Surgery.

Children accounted for all cases. The majority were in the 0–4 age group, which saw a 20% rise to 42 cases, making up 54% of the total. The remaining 36 cases were among children aged 5–14. Two patients required intensive care, though no deaths were recorded. Five of the new cases were tested for influenza.

Across Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reports that influenza activity continues to decline in most age groups. Hospitalisations remain concentrated among people aged 65 and over. The A(H3) strain is still dominant (64%), though A(H1) is gaining ground (36%). Positive influenza tests averaged 11% across 25 countries, down from 21% the previous week.

Regional SARS-CoV-2 activity has remained stable at 2%, while respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity has fallen to 9%, with the highest burden still among children under five.