According to official statistics, more than 12,000 cases of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) are registered weekly in Kyrgyzstan. Dinara Otorbaeva, head of the Epidemiological Directorate of the Department of Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance, said at a briefing.
According to her, the ARVI incidence exceeds the last year’s level 5.7 times. She explained that the incidence rate was lower last year due to restrictive anti-coronavirus measures. Influenza virus was not detected at all in the last epidemic season.
«According to long-term observations, the influenza epidemic season in the republic began at the end of November — December. This year, its beginning is observed from the end of September. When conducting laboratory studies of tests taken from patients in Bishkek, Osh and Tokmak cities, it was found that the epidemic season of influenza is caused by H3N2 subtype of influenza A virus,» she told.
Dinara Otorbaeva noted that this subtype was detected in 42 percent of the tests.
«In addition, laboratory studies of tests taken from patients with acute respiratory viral infections were carried out. Metapneumovirus was detected in 29 percent of cases, parainfluenza type 3 — in 20 percent of cases, bocavirus — in 18 percent of cases, respiratory syncytial virus — in 14 percent of cases, rhinovirus — in 12 percent and seasonal coronavirus in 7 percent of cases,» she added.
