Overview
- RespiVirNet surveillance reports 2.1 million Italians have had respiratory infections since autumn.
- Laboratories found 11.2% of samples positive for influenza last week, a level not seen this early last year.
- ECDC attributes the earlier start—about three to four weeks—to circulation of A/H3N2 subclade K.
- Young children are most affected, with more than 25 per 1,000 experiencing respiratory infections last week.
- Medical societies urge vaccination, including co‑administration with COVID-19, pneumococcal, RSV and shingles vaccines, noting low coverage versus the WHO 75% goal and citing expert warnings of a potentially large caseload.