The National Institute of Public Health announced on Friday, December 12, 2025, based on the epidemiological analysis for the 49th week of 2025, that the beginning of the flu season was registered. The new K variant of the influenza virus 1 (H3N2) circulating internationally was also detected in Romania.
The epidemiological analysis for week 49 of the year 2025 (01-07/12/2025) was carried out by the CNSCBT and revealed that the onset of the influenza season was registered. 3,018 cases of clinical flu were reported nationally, double the number registered in the previous week (1,504).
“The same subclade K of influenza A(H3N2) virus circulating internationally was also detected in Romania, the first sequencing results being communicated by INCDMM Cantacuzino to INSP-CNSCBT on 11/12/2025.
The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) assesses the risk to the general EU/EEA population as moderate,” announced the INSP.
People eligible for vaccination should get vaccinated without delay
The highest risk of developing a severe form of the disease is for people over the age of 65, people with metabolic, pulmonary, cardiovascular, neuromuscular and other chronic diseases, but also for pregnant women, immunocompromised people and those living in long-term care centers, public health specialists said.
“The vaccine is expected to continue to provide protection against severe disease, so it remains a vital public health tool.” also mentions INSP, on its website. The first recommendation is, moreover, that people at risk get vaccinated against influenza. “People eligible for vaccination, especially those at high risk of severe disease, should get vaccinated without delay”shows INSP.
List of recommendations
In order to prevent illness, vaccination is the most important gesture, along with compliance with hygiene measures. To deal with a possible episode of illness, doctors recommend an adequate diet, recommending to include proteins in the diet if there are no contraindications. Here is the full list of recommendations:
– People eligible for vaccination, especially those at high risk of severe disease, should get vaccinated without delay;
– Observance of hand hygiene is particularly important, considering the fact that the flu virus can also be transmitted through contact with objects contaminated with viral particles;
– Following respiratory etiquette refers to using a disposable tissue when coughing or sneezing, followed by applying an antiseptic to your hands or washing them with soap and water. If these are not accessible at the moment, we should cough/sneeze into the angle that the arm makes with the forearm;
– Avoiding crowds as much as possible, and if this cannot be done, wearing a mask in closed spaces (e.g. in public transport);
– Proper ventilation of rooms;
– A balanced diet that includes protein (if certain medical conditions do not contraindicate it), given that the antibodies with which we defend ourselves against the flu are formed from protein. Also, proper hydration (2 liters of water/day) contributes to maintaining the good functionality of the respiratory mucosa.
