Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 05, 2026 1 month, 2 weeks, 6 days, 1 hour, 36 minutes ago
Medical News: Croatia is facing an unusually intense influenza season as new surveillance data reveals a dramatic spike in flu activity, raising alarms among public health authorities and healthcare providers nationwide.
Croatia battles an explosive flu season as positivity rates and hospitalizations climb sharply nationwide
Early and Aggressive Start to the Flu Season
The 2025/2026 influenza season in Croatia has unfolded far earlier and more aggressively than seen in recent years. As of 28 December 2025, health authorities have officially recorded 29,771 influenza cases since October. Of these, 5,051 cases were reported in the final week of the year alone. While this weekly figure appears slightly lower than previous weeks, officials from the Ministry of Health caution that the dip is likely due to fewer working days during the holiday period rather than a genuine reduction in viral transmission.
Flu cases have now been reported from every county in the country, signaling widespread community transmission. The highest incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants during week 52 were observed in Varaždin County and Krapina-Zagorje County, making these regions current hotspots of concern.
Children Most Affected as Hospitals Feel the Strain
Epidemiological patterns indicate that preschool and school-age children continue to account for the highest incidence rates, while individuals aged 65 and above show the lowest reported infection rates. However, this does not reflect disease severity. Older adults and individuals with chronic illnesses remain at significantly higher risk for severe complications.
Since the start of the season, 950 patients have required hospitalization due to influenza, with 45 patients needing intensive care support. This represents a staggering increase compared to the same period last season, when only 69 hospitalizations and three intensive care admissions were recorded.
Rising Death Toll and Alarming Virology Data
Influenza is known to contribute to excess mortality each season, often indirectly through complications such as pneumonia, sepsis, or the worsening of pre-existing conditions. So far, five deaths linked to influenza and its complications have been officially reported.
Data from the National Influenza Reference Center paints an even more concerning picture. In the last reporting week, 41 percent of tested samples returned positive results. All confirmed cases involved Influenza A viruses, evenly split between the A H3 subtype and the A H1N1pdm09 strain. This
Medical News report highlights how the coexistence of these two aggressive strains may be contributing to rapid spread and increased severity.
Public Health Implications
Health experts warn that the early surge, high positivity rate, and sharp rise in hospitalizations suggest that Croatia could face a prolonged and demanding flu season. Vigilance, vaccination, and early medical intervention remain critical, especially for vulnera
ble populations.
Reference:
https://www.hzjz.hr/aktualnosti/gripa-u-hrvatskoj-u-sezoni-2025-2026-52-tjedan-2025/
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