Iinfluenza and ARI intensity in Bulgaria was higher than medium during week No 04 (23.01.2012 - 29.01.2012) and the total incidence per 10,000 population was 170.10  (during week No 03 the incidence was 128.66  ). From a total of 380,239 persons under surveillance, belonging to all age groups, a total of  6 468 ARI cases have been reported (during week No 03 the cases were 4 892). The incidence was highest in the age group 0-4 yrs (681.02 per 10,000 population), followed by age group of 5-14 yrs (514.67 per 10,000).  Pre-epidemic incidence has been reported in 7 regions: Burgas (192.7), Varna (140.2), Vidin (186.8), Vratsa (216.76), Pazardjik (446.26),  Sofia capital (165.65) and Sofia (252.78).  Epidemic incidence has been reported in 4 regions: Мontana (533.27), Smolyan (273.07),  Stara Zagora (336.82) and Shumen (259.56).

Information from National Reference Laboratory of Influenza and Acute Respiratory Infections at NCIPD

During week No 04 totally of 56 samples from suspect patients have been investigated in the NRL of Influenza and ARD by Real Time PCR. 25 positive results were detected  for A/H3N2.