In week 2 (8.01.2024-14.01.2024), the level of intensity of the epidemic process of influenza and acute respiratory diseases (ARD) increased compared to the previous week, with an overall incidence of 148.89 per 10 000 people (117.85 per 10 000 people for the previous week). Among the total 364,092 persons of all age groups monitored in the 2nd week of 2024, 5,421 cases of ARI were recorded (previous week 4,291). The incidence in 0-4 years age group was 538.90 followed by 5-14 years age group (456.81). The incidence increased in all age groups, but was higher in ages 5-14 and 15-29 compared to the rates in the older age groups.

The national average incidence of ARI and influenza is high and continues to rise, but varies widely across the country, reflecting different levels of morbidity. High incidence rates are reported in Burgas, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Ruse, Smolyan, Sofia oblast and Yambol.

In the national reference laboratory 358 samples were tested, in 69 of which influenza A viruses were proven (in 12 samples influenza A/H3N2 virus was proven; in 57 samples influenza A/H1N1 (2009) viruses were proven and in 5 samples influenza B/Victoria virus was proven). No influenza viruses were demonstrated in samples from children under 5 years of age, but RSV and other viruses were isolated.