10.03.2020
Forecast of the epidemic season 2019/2020
During the next season, from 4.8 million to 6.7 million people will get sick with influenza and ARVI.
The epidemic threshold for the new season will be 476.7 per 100,000 population.
Two waves of incidence are expected: in December and in late January - early February, with a possible peak in the 4th week of 2020.
According to WHO estimates, during the new epidemic season, influenza viruses similar to A/Brisbane/02/2018(H1N1)pdm09, A/Kansas/14/2017(H3N2), B/Colorado/06/2017 (lineage B/Victoria/2/87), B/Phuket/3073/2013 (lineage B/Yamagata/16/88) will circulate in the Northern Hemisphere.
Influenza is a highly contagious viral disease with the possibility of severe complications and risk of death.
Influenza has symptoms similar to those of other acute respiratory viral infections (ARI) but is much more dangerous. At the first symptom, consult a doctor. Self-treatment can be harmful to your health.
Clinical signs of influenza:
How you can get infected with the influenza virus
The influenza virus is transmitted by airborne droplets, and airborne dust (viral particles are transferred by air from a sick person to a healthy person during a conversation, coughing, sneezing), as a result of close contact (staying at a distance of about 2 m).
How long is a patient with influenza contagious
A sick person, even with a mild form of influenza, poses a danger to others during the entire period of symptoms - an average of seven days.
Complications of influenza
Most often it is pneumonia, which can sometimes lead to death in 4-5 days. Heart failure also often develops.
How to prevent flu infection:
avoid contact with people who have symptoms of influenza infection;
limit visits to crowded places;
ventilate the room frequently;
wash your hands frequently with soap and water;
do not touch eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands;
avoid hugs, kisses, and handshakes;
cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing with a disposable tissue, which should be thrown away immediately after use;
if a person has flu symptoms, keep at least two meters away from him or her.
How parents can prevent children from catching the flu
teach children to wash their hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
parents should also perform this procedure, which serves as a good example for children;
teach children to cough and sneeze into a tissue or hand (bend of the elbow);
teach children not to approach sick people closer than one and a half to two meters;
Sick children should stay at home (not attend preschools and schools);
children and parents should refrain from visiting crowded places.
The best prevention of influenza is annual vaccination.
Annual flu vaccination is the best way to
The vaccine protects against all current flu strains and is safe and effective.
The best time to get vaccinated is before the flu season (in September). If this was not possible, you can be vaccinated throughout the season. Contrary to popular myth, it does not weaken but strengthens the body's ability to resist influenza.
Vaccination is especially important for representatives of risk groups, as it significantly increases the chances of these people preventing the fatal consequences of the disease.
The main risk groups are
Healthcare workers are at greater risk of contracting influenza due to the nature of their profession. We urge them to protect themselves and their patients and get vaccinated against influenza.
Pregnant women should remember that influenza can have serious consequences during pregnancy. Instead, seasonal flu vaccination is safe at all stages of pregnancy.
Older people - immunity weakens with age and becomes less effective in fighting the flu, which can have serious consequences when you are over 65.
People with chronic illnesses - remember that if you have chronic illnesses, the risk of flu complications increases significantly, so it is important to protect yourself from them.
Vaccines
Influenza vaccines are available in pharmacies. Therefore, Ukrainians can buy the vaccine at the pharmacy at their own expense and get vaccinated in a health care facility. The estimated cost of vaccines is from 250 to 350 UAH.
This year, two flu vaccines are available to Ukrainians: "Vaxigrippe Tetra" (manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, France) and "Jeezy Flu" (Green Cross Corporation, South Korea), both of which are of high quality and safety.
The quality of vaccines imported into the country is checked by the State Administration of Ukraine on Medicinal Products and the Laboratory for Quality Control of Medical Immunobiological Products of the State Expert Center.
The vaccine "Vaxigrippe Tetra" can be used for vaccination of children aged three years and older, and "Gisi Flu" - from six months.
Influenza vaccination belongs to the recommended vaccinations and is not included in the national vaccination calendar, so the vaccine can be purchased at the expense of local budgets, enterprises, or at the expense of citizens.
Vaccination is the most effective method of preventing influenza and preventing severe complications of this disease.
One vaccination protects throughout the flu season against the most common and dangerous strains
Viktor Kyrienko
Head of the CPM of the State Institution "TMA of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
of Ukraine in Chernihiv region" - doctor
(с) 2024
