An infectious disease specialist, Yevgeny Timakov, indicated that Russia is facing a season with three waves of flu activity. The information was reported by TASS.
The expert explained that the country is likely to experience three distinct flu waves leading up to spring. He noted that the first wave is already underway, the second is anticipated after the New Year holidays, and the third would appear toward the end of February.
Timakov stressed that there is no assurance that the second and third waves will pass with less severity because cross-immunity between different flu strains is not created automatically.
He explained that each flu strain requires its own form of immunity. It is possible to contract the flu more than once in a single season. The quadrivalent vaccine offers protection against the major circulating strains, he pointed out.
The doctor added that the current rise in cases is expected to ease within two to three weeks.
Earlier this week, the health surveillance agency reported to socialbites.ca that the incidence of both SARS and influenza in Russia is continuing to rise.
The agency noted an 18.5 percent increase in cases compared with the previous week, with 43 regions surpassing the national average. Rhinoviruses accounted for 18.1 percent of cases, respiratory syncytial viruses for 14.0 percent, metapneumoviruses for 12.1 percent, and adenoviruses for 9.7 percent among respiratory viruses without influenza etiology. Among influenza viruses, the dominant strain identified was A(H1N1)-2009, commonly known as swine flu, reported in 55 individuals in the country. These observations reflect ongoing surveillance led by national health authorities and corroborate findings released by major health agencies. Researchers and clinicians emphasize the importance of vaccination and timely public health measures to reduce transmission during peak periods of flu activity and to mitigate the impact on vulnerable groups.