During week No5 (29.01.2024-04.02.2024), the level of intensity of the epidemic process of influenza and acute respiratory diseases (ARD) decreased, with an overall incidence of 175.83 per 10 000 people (197.20 per 10 000 people for the previous week). Among the surveillance population of 364 092 persons, 6402 cases of ARI were recorded during the period (7180 the previous week). The incidence decreased in all age groups but was still epidemically high in the age groups 0-4 years ( 675.08 per 10,000 population) and 5-14 years (542.88 per 10,000 population).

Influenza epidemic was declared in twelve districts of the country - Smolyan, Pleven, Varna, Burgas, Pazardzhik, Gabrovo, Plovdiv, Sofia region, Veliko Tarnovo, Yambol, Shumen and Pernik. 

Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv, Sliven, Sofia region and Shumen districts have epidemic values (above 99th percentile). 

Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Gabrovo, Dobrich, Kyustendil, Pazardzhik, Pleven, Smolyan, Stara Zagora, Targovishte, Haskovo and Yambol districts have high incidence rates (between 95th and 99th percentile).

The national reference laboratory has tested 323 samples, 91 of which were found to contain influenza A viruses (72 samples were found to contain influenza A/H1N1 (2009); 19 samples were found to contain influenza A/H3N2); influenza B/Victoria was found in 13 samples. No influenza viruses have been demonstrated in samples from children under 5 years of age, but RSV(11), AdV(1) and other respiratory viruses(16) have been isolated.