A rise in respiratory infections including influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Covid-19, and common cold viruses is straining Cyprus’s hospitals, with four patients currently in intensive care on ventilators.
Thousands of citizens are displaying symptoms ranging from mild to severe, while dozens have been hospitalised, health officials said.
The State Health Services Organisation is implementing special measures to secure additional hospital beds, whilst the Ministry of Health has activated a plan to refer patients to private hospitals within the national health system.
“Infections are here and they certainly don’t affect just specific groups but all of us,” said Constantinos Tsioutis, scientific coordinator of the European Committee on Infections.
The surge has been particularly notable in the past two weeks, with RSV showing increased activity for six consecutive weeks, according to European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) data. Children under five account for 80% of RSV hospitalisations, with 19% being under six months old and 57% aged between six months and two years.
The ECDC reports a 12% positivity rate for influenza across EU member states, with influenza B predominant in Spain, Portugal and Slovakia, while influenza A is more prevalent elsewhere.
Covid-19 cases remain stable, with the elderly facing the highest hospitalisation risk. The ECDC has warned member states to prepare for continued increases in flu and RSV activity in coming weeks, emphasising vaccination as the most effective protection against severe respiratory illness.
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