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Bulgaria's Burgas Declares Flu Epidemic as Third Region Amid Rising Cases

Bulgaria's coastal Burgas District has declared a flu epidemic, becoming the third region to implement emergency measures including school closures and a ban on hospital visits. Similar restrictions are already in place in Varna and Dobrich districts due to high infection rates. National data shows over 121,000 people were examined for influenza in one week, with children aged 5-14 being the most affected demographic. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness for which vaccination is the primary preventive measure, though most people recover with rest and fluids.

Key Points: Bulgaria Flu Epidemic: Third Region Declares Health Emergency

  • Burgas is third Bulgarian region in flu epidemic
  • School classes suspended, hospital visits banned
  • Over 121,000 examined nationally in one week
  • Children aged 5-14 are the most affected group
2 min read

Bulgaria's third region declares flu epidemic

Bulgaria's Burgas District declares a flu epidemic, joining two other regions with school closures and hospital visit bans as cases surge nationally.

"Children aged 5-14 were the most affected group, with 7,670 cases per 100,000 population. - Xinhua report"

Sofia, Jan 21

Bulgaria's Health Ministry announced that the coastal Burgas District has become the third region this year to declare a flu epidemic.

From January 22 to 30, temporary anti-epidemic measures will be enforced in Burgas. These include the suspension of in-person classes, extracurricular activities, and hospital visits.

Similar measures are already in place in two other districts. Varna's restrictions, initially set for January 14-20, have been extended to January 26 due to high case numbers. In Dobrich, measures will remain until the end of this week.

National data for the week of January 12-18 show 121,254 people were examined for influenza and acute respiratory diseases (ARD), with 4,194 hospitalised, Xinhua news agency reported.

Children aged 5-14 were the most affected group, with 7,670 cases per 100,000 population. They were followed by children aged 0-4, with 6,108 cases per 100,000.

Seasonal influenza (the flu) is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. It is common in all parts of the world. Most people recover without treatment.

The flu spreads easily between people when they cough or sneeze. Vaccination is the best way to prevent the disease.

Symptoms of flu include acute onset of fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue.

Treatment should aim to relieve symptoms. People with the flu should rest and drink plenty of liquids. Most people will recover on their own within a week. Medical care may be needed in severe cases and for people with risk factors.

There are 4 types of influenza viruses, types A, B, C and D. Influenza A and B viruses circulate and cause seasonal epidemics of disease.

Flu can worsen symptoms of other chronic diseases. In severe cases influenza can lead to pneumonia and sepsis. People with other medical issues or who have severe symptoms should seek medical care.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Closing schools seems like the right step to protect kids. We saw similar measures during COVID waves here. The data showing children 5-14 as most affected is a clear signal. Wishing a speedy recovery to all those affected in Bulgaria. 🙏
D
David E
Reading this from Delhi. It's a reminder that flu is not just a common cold. 121k examined and 4k hospitalized in a week is no small number. People often ignore flu shots, but vaccination is crucial, especially for the elderly and children.
A
Anjali F
The article mentions most recover without treatment, but that high hospitalization rate tells another story. Public awareness is key. We should promote basic hygiene – covering mouth while coughing, frequent hand washing – more aggressively in our communities too.
S
Suresh O
While the measures are necessary, I hope the authorities are also providing support to parents who now have to manage kids at home. Not everyone can work from home. A bit more detail on the social support aspect would have been useful in the report.
M
Michael C
Solid, data-driven reporting. The breakdown by age group is very informative. It mirrors global trends where children are often the primary vectors in community spread. Hope the temporary measures break the chain of transmission effectively.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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