Bulgaria is currently in the midst of an active flu season, with the peak yet to be reached, according to renowned epidemiologist Prof. Todor Kantardzhiev.
On BNR, he explained that the surge in cases is expected in the coming days, but emphasized that preventive measures are crucial to avoid a prolonged period of high infection rates.
Although some regions, like Blagoevgrad, have already seen a significant rise in flu cases, areas such as Sofia and Burgas have not experienced a major surge. However, hospitals in Sofia are beginning to fill up with flu patients, and the situation remains closely monitored.
Prof. Kantardzhiev also addressed concerns about more severe flu sub-variants, which he dismissed as unsubstantiated. He stated that there is no evidence suggesting the presence of particularly dangerous or severe flu strains, either in Bulgaria or Europe.
The current dominant strain circulating is the AN3 flu, which typically presents with symptoms such as fever, fatigue (especially in children), muscle and joint pain, dry cough, throat irritation, and light sensitivity. A common complication is ear inflammation, usually caused by bacterial infections.
Flu patients are generally contagious for about four days, and each infected individual typically spreads the virus to two others.
The virus has a short incubation period, ranging from 12 to 36 hours, and while some individuals may carry the virus without showing symptoms, their ability to transmit the infection is limited.
In contrast, Covid-19 cases remain low in Bulgaria, making up only 0.5% of all tested samples—significantly fewer than the flu infections currently circulating.
As the flu season progresses, Prof. Kantardzhiev cautioned that the immunity of individuals recovering from the flu remains weakened, increasing their vulnerability to other infections.
He recommended maintaining a balanced diet, including traditional Bulgarian winter foods, and considering probiotics or vitamin supplements containing selenium and zinc. However, he warned against excessive intake of these supplements.
The situation in regions with quarantine measures has also raised concern. Prof. Kantardzhiev highlighted the example of Blagoevgrad, where the number of flu cases rose sharply from 394 to 571 per 10,000 people after restrictions were introduced.
Nationwide, the average incidence of flu stands at 191 per 10,000, meaning that about two out of every 100 people are currently ill.
Sofia, however, remains below this average, and the number of cases in the capital is not expected to rise significantly before the school holidays.
Prof. Kantardzhiev also urged caution regarding children and students with flu symptoms during the flu vacation, stressing the importance of keeping them home to prevent further spread.
The primary goal of anti-epidemic measures, he noted, is to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed, as flu patients put a strain on healthcare facilities, particularly those requiring oxygen therapy.
Moreover, a variety of other viruses are circulating in Sofia, which is unusual for flu season. The most common are bocaviruses, with smaller numbers of metapneumoviruses and adenoviruses also detected.
While metapneumoviruses can cause coughing, mild fever, and a runny nose, they are not considered dangerous.
Prof. Kantardzhiev concluded by reminding the public that a person with the flu can begin spreading the virus a day before symptoms appear and remain contagious for up to three days after symptoms develop.
He emphasized the importance of following public health guidelines to manage the ongoing flu season effectively.