Dozens of people are already hospitalized, with the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY) recording a significant increase in admissions compared to the previous week. The doctors' offices were filled with cases of influenza and coronavirus, while cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) mainly in children began to be recorded, fortunately much less than last year. Pharmacists also seem to have got to work, since dozens of citizens every day are supplied with over-the-counter syrups or antipyretic drugs.

"If you have symptoms, get tested first and then contact your doctor. Do not have contact with other people and avoid workplaces," says the president of the scientific society of personal doctors, Mary Avraamidou. "The activity of the flu and all viruses in general has been particularly increased in recent days and we notice that our patients who have the flu describe a very intense and persistent cough, high fevers and sore throat."

With the reopening of schools, the risk of transmission of viruses also enters the classrooms. "Do not send children to school if they have symptoms," said the president of the paediatric society, Michalis Anastasiadis, speaking to "F". "A child with symptoms also carries the virus to his classmates."

"Every day dozens of citizens come to our pharmacies and ask for either syrups, lozenges, antipyretics or ask to be tested because they show symptoms," said the president of the Pancyprian Pharmaceutical Association, Plutarchos Georgiadis. It seems, however, as he said, "that people have understood the fact that in cases of viruses it is not advisable to take antibiotics and they no longer ask us for antibiotics as was the case in the past".

As far as hospitals are concerned, during the weekend, as the spokesman of the State Health Services Organization, Charalambos Charilaou, told "F", "we saw a significant, I would say compared to the previous period, increase in the attendance of patients with symptoms in the Accident and Emergency Departments". Suffice it to say that from each rapid care clinic, around 30 patients are cared for during 5-6 hours "and to these we must add the people who show more serious symptoms and enter the A&E or are even admitted for further hospitalization. On weekends and holidays, attendance at the A&E is always increased, especially at this time, due to the absence of personal doctors and the fact that many citizens do not use the on-call clinics of the General Health System", said Mr. Charilaou, adding that "state hospitals certainly serve all patients without any discrimination".

Last week, Ms. Avraamidou said, "most of the incidents were clearly related to the flu. However, we constantly have cases of coronavirus. What we tell our patients is to go to pharmacies to be tested. There are tests that detect most of the viruses that are prevalent at this time of year and when they come to the clinics, if it is necessary to come, to observe protection measures, to wear their mask because in the waiting areas there are other people to whom they may transmit the virus they carry. A communication with the personal doctor in principle can help. The doctor, especially if there is a result from some tests, knows what to prescribe and how to help his patient."

For the children, the president of the Paediatric Society pointed out that "although we are seeing cases of respiratory syncytial virus, the well-known RSV, this year as well, we do not see the large number of cases we had last year at this time and this is very encouraging. This year, we had the vaccinations and the monoclonal antibodies for RSV and now we will see the result."

In hospitals and especially at Makarios Hospital, "the number of children hospitalized due to seasonal infections is very small compared to last year", said the spokesperson of OKYPY, with Mr. Charilaou pointing out that "it goes without saying that the increased activity of viruses affects both young and old and in the community the picture is clearly different".

This year's flu and the sub-strain "K".

This year's influenza A (H3N2) is characterized by the sub-branch "K", which since the beginning of the season has occupied the international scientific community since it seems to dominate in Europe. According to an analysis published in the scientific journal "JAMA", the H3N2 influenza virus has historically been associated with a more severe clinical picture, especially in the elderly and young children, as well as with an increased number of hospitalizations during periods where it is predominant. So far, however, there is no evidence that this year's variant causes more severe symptoms compared to previous years.

Laboratory data presented in the same publication show that the "K" sub-branch now constitutes the vast majority of H3N2 strains detected during this period, which highlights the dynamics of its spread.

At the same time, it is pointed out that even without an increase in mortality, seasonal influenza can cause a significant burden on health systems, due to increased attendance at clinics and hospital admissions.

"JAMA" emphasizes that it is still early to draw definitive conclusions about the course of this year's flu season.

The epidemiological situation in the rest of Europe

Increased activity of respiratory viruses is being recorded across Europe according to the latest report from the National Center for Infection Control (ECDC).

"This picture is reflected in the increased number of patients coming to primary health care with symptoms of influenza and acute respiratory infection."

Overall, the epidemiological picture of respiratory viruses in the EU/EEA at the beginning of 2026 is characterised by dominant seasonal influenza activity, increasing but comparatively lower RSV activity, and a decline in SARS-CoV-2. The burden "is unevenly distributed among age groups, with older people being more affected by the flu and young children by RSV."

According to epidemiological surveillance, "the circulation of influenza viruses continues to increase in most countries, although in some it seems that the peak has already passed." Influenza virus type A clearly prevails over type B, while at the level of subtypes, influenza A (H3N2) is the dominant one. All age groups are affected, but a greater burden is found mainly in adults aged 65 and over. The ECDC reports an increase in hospitalizations in this age group, which demonstrates the increased risk of complications in the elderly.

In parallel with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is gradually increasing in circulation in the rest of the EU in several countries. This increase is milder compared to previous periods, but is accompanied by an increased number of RSV-related hospitalizations.

Unlike influenza and RSV, SARS-CoV-2 shows a downward trend. According to ECDC data, the circulation of the virus is declining in all age groups in the EU.