Seasonal influenza A continues to circulate at stable but elevated levels, keeping pressure on the public health system as hospitals manage high admissions and limited bed availability. Officials say the situation remains challenging, particularly due to isolation requirements for infectious patients.
Current epidemiological picture
According to the State Health Services Organisation, influenza A cases remain at consistently high levels. Speaking on the current situation, the organisation’s Press Spokesperson Charalambos Charilaou said that data from public hospitals and emergency departments indicate the system is currently on a plateau.
“Based on the cases we see in public hospitals and emergency departments, it appears we are currently on a plateau and it is expected that there will gradually be a reduction in cases,” he said.
Pressure on public hospitals
Pressure on hospitals operated by the State Health Services Organisation remains intense, with efforts focused on reducing waiting times in emergency departments and securing beds for patients requiring admission.
Charilaou explained that bed availability is particularly affected by the need to isolate patients with influenza, Covid 19 or RSV, as they cannot be hospitalised alongside other cases. Some patients, he said, require single rooms due to the infectious nature of their condition.
Bed occupancy and patient flow management
Hospital occupancy across OKYPY facilities is approaching 90 percent, according to Charilaou. This level requires daily bed management and an ongoing effort to discharge patients who are medically fit to leave hospital, in order to maintain a balance between admissions and discharges.
Rise in RSV among older adults
In addition to influenza, cases of respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, are also increasing, particularly among older adults.
Professor of Molecular Virology Petros Karayiannis described the trend as unusual, noting that RSV typically affects young children and usually appears earlier in the winter, around late December.
“This year the situation is mixed and the usual pattern has not been followed,” he said.
Outlook for the coming weeks
Health officials expect the current wave of influenza A to continue until the end of February. Influenza B is anticipated to become the dominant strain in March, according to current assessments.