Seasonal flu is spreading rapidly throughout Greececausing serious concern among medical services and authorities. According to health authorities, in the second week of 2026, 817 patients with influenza – compared to 722 hospitalizations a week earlier.
During the same period there were recorded 8 flu deathsand also 6 COVID-19 related deaths. An upward trend has been observed since the end of 2025.
Increase in severe cases
Severe forms of the disease are of particular concern. Registered during the reporting week 15 new admissions to intensive care units due to laboratory confirmed influenza, as well as 8 new deaths.
Taking into account retrospective data from previous weeks, the total number of severe cases with intensive care hospitalization since the beginning of epidemiological surveillance (from the 40th week of 2025 to the 2nd week of 2026) has reached 45at 15 deaths.
Dominance of influenza A
Laboratory studies show that influenza A virus almost completely dominates. From 407 positive samplesidentified among 2,547 tests, 406 belonged to type A.
Most of the analyzed strains belong to the subtype A(H3)while A(H1)pdm09 also maintains a noticeable presence.
An additional picture is provided by the analysis municipal wastewater: The viral load of influenza A remains high, although it has decreased slightly compared to the previous week. The decrease was noted in Athens, Thessaloniki And Patrachwhereas in Chania growth has been recorded.
Flu sweeps across the country
A wave of influenza is sweeping across the entire country, despite relatively mild weather conditions for the season. While temperatures remain above average, the virus is spreading from north to south and hospitalizations continue to rise.
National Institute of Public Health almost confirmed 817 new hospitalizations over the past week, indicating the continued spread of the epidemic.
Call for vaccination
Medical experts emphasize that vulnerable populations should still get the flu vaccine as the virus is expected to be actively circulating until at least early March.
Although the vaccine takes 2–3 weeksexperts consider it important to get vaccinated now to form adequate protection.
However, health authorities have expressed concern that a significant portion of the population is not vaccinatedmainly due to favorable weather in December, which created a false sense of security, especially among high-risk groups.
According to official data, currently vaccinated 2.7 million people. This is a significant number, however Ministry of Health emphasizes the need to further increase coverage, especially among people over 60 years old, children under 5 years old and patients with chronic diseases.
Rising hospitalizations due to influenza and other respiratory infections raise concerns about pressure on the NHS in the coming weeks as the number of severe cases is expected to increase.
Note. It is noteworthy that despite the stated concerns, official recommendations guidelines on wearing masks indoors or on keeping sick children out of schools have not yet been published.
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