Andorra Flu Cases Drop Below Epidemic Threshold

Influenza incidence in Andorra fell below the epidemic threshold during the week of 16 February, dropping to 13.77 cases per 100,000 inhabitants from 25.26 the previous week, the Health Ministry reported on Monday.

The rate reflects a low number of notifications with fluctuations around the threshold in recent weeks. Adults over 74 years old were the most affected age group. Acute respiratory infections remained stable at 146.88 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, up slightly from 145.71 a week earlier, with children aged 0-4 most impacted.

Among tested samples, the positivity rate was steady at 8.33%, down marginally from 8.57%. Positive cases broke down as 40% rhinovirus/enterovirus, 20% respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), 20% metapneumovirus, 10% influenza A, and 10% SARS-CoV-2.

In Europe, primary care visits for respiratory symptoms stayed high across most reporting countries, indicating widespread virus circulation. Flu activity remained elevated but continued a general decline, led by the A(H3N2) subtype and followed by A(H1N1)pdm09.

RSV levels were high and increasing in most nations, with this season's peak arriving several weeks later than in the past two years. Hospital admissions rose in many countries, primarily among children under five. SARS-CoV-2 circulation stayed low across age groups, with hospitalisations limited compared to flu and RSV.