Infectious disease doctor Yevgeny Timakov said that three waves of flu incidence are expected in Russia this epidemic season. TASS.
He said the country will likely have three flu waves before spring. As the doctor noted, the first wave is currently underway, the second is expected after the New Year holidays, and the third – at the end of February.
He also noted that it cannot be said that the second and third flu waves will pass more easily because it does not create cross-immunity.
“Each type of flu has its own immunity. You may have the flu more than once. The quadrivalent vaccine provides protection against major strains,” continued the expert.
He added that the current increase in cases will subside in two to three weeks.
This week in Rospotrebnadzor reported “socialbites.ca” that the incidence of SARS and flu in Russia continues to increase.
According to the agency, the number of cases increased by 18.5 percent compared to previous weeks. Incidence rates in 43 regions of the Russian Federation exceeded the national average. Rhinoviruses (18.1%), respiratory syncytial viruses (14.0%), metapneumoviruses (12.1%) and adenoviruses (9.7%) continue to be the highest among respiratory viruses without influenza etiology. Among the influenza viruses, the dominant strain is A(H1N1)-2009, the so-called “swine flu” of the Russian Federation, which has already been identified in 55 subjects.