Latvia’s Center for Disease Prevention and Control said Monday the country has entered its annual influenza epidemic and encouraged residents to get vaccinated as the most effective protection.
The agency declared the epidemic beginning Tuesday, Dec. 9, after monitoring data showed a sharp rise in positive flu tests. Between Dec. 1 and 7, 18.1 percent of samples tested positive, up from 9.1 percent the previous week — exceeding the epidemic threshold by 10 percent, according to the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory.
Experts warn that seniors, people with chronic illnesses, young children and pregnant women are most vulnerable to severe flu. Vaccination remains the best safeguard, they said, noting that immunity develops within 10 to 14 days and flu circulation typically lasts until late May.
Health authorities stressed that it is not too late to get vaccinated even after the epidemic has begun. The CDC said it will continue compiling flu monitoring data and publish updates in its weekly report.