The silent epidemic in Hungary: Flu cases surge unchecked!

In recent weeks, a major influenza (flu) epidemic has emerged in Hungary, which has almost completely displaced the dominance of the COVID-19 virus in respiratory illnesses. The current wave of the epidemic is considered particularly severe, yet no emergency measures have been introduced at a central level.

Instead, it has become the responsibility of individuals, communities and institutions to organise control. Health authorities are only providing information on the current number of cases through the usual weekly reports, while hospitals are under considerable pressure.

Increasing numbers of patients and local control strategies

According to 24.hu, health institutions in Hungary have put in place strict measures to slow the spread of the virus. Visitor bans and mandatory mask-wearing have been introduced in several places. The number of cases of the flu is rising dramatically: in the third week of the year, 53,800 people consulted a doctor with flu-like symptoms. This figure is not only a year-on-year increase but also a rare long-term rise.

Orsolya Surján, Deputy National Medical Officer, confirmed in statements that the flu has now taken the lead among respiratory infections. The virus had already crossed the epidemic threshold before Christmas, but the pace of infections accelerated particularly in the first weeks of the New Year.

Hospitals are also under increasing pressure. In the third week of the year, 250 people were admitted with acute respiratory infections, 29 of whom required intensive care, a rate of 11.6%. This is the highest rate so far this season and shows a downward trend compared to the same period last year. Experts say the epidemic could worsen in the coming weeks. Laboratory tests have shown that the influenza virus, rather than Covid-19, is dominant and responsible for the vast majority of cases.