At the end of September, a new epidemic season for influenza, COVID-19 and other acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) began in Ukraine, which will last until May 2026. This was reported by the Center for Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
Influenza is the most dangerous respiratory disease, as it often leads to severe complications and can be fatal. This season, influenza A viruses, not subtyped, A (H1)pdm09, A (H3), and B are expected to circulate.
Every year, the number of cases of respiratory diseases increases during the cold season. This is due to the fact that people spend more time indoors in close contact, dry air in heated rooms dries out the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, and with the onset of cold weather, physical activity and exposure to sunlight decrease, which reduces immune defenses.
Simple preventive measures help reduce the risk of infection: regular hand washing for at least 30 seconds, using protective masks in crowded places, airing and wet cleaning of rooms, covering the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and staying home if sick or wearing a mask when in contact with others.
Currently, there are no grounds for imposing quarantine in any region of Ukraine, although the re-spread of coronavirus is being noted.
