Epidemiological alert in Romania

The rapid increase in the number of respiratory infections prompted the Romanian health authorities to establish a state of epidemiological alert. In the last week of 2022, the reported rate of flu infections was 37%. A week before, it had been 32%. The question is why the authorities decided on just an epidemiological alert and not on declaring an epidemic, as the media expected. The Health Minister Alexandru Rafila, explained that, in the case of an epidemic, the authorities would have had to again take quarantine and isolation measures, so they preferred recommendations to restrictions. And the recommendations for limiting the spread of flu infections are avoiding crowds, wearing a mask in crowded, enclosed spaces, hygiene measures, consulting the family doctor when symptoms appear, going to evaluation centers or permanent centers and continuing the flu vaccination.

The historical rates of respiratory infections have been exceeded three weeks in a row, but the maximum intensity, estimated by the authorities to occur around mid February, has not yet been reached. According to Minister Rafila, the accelerated spread of influenza viruses is explained by the poor immunization of the population in the past years, when the star virus was Sars-Cov-2.

Here is the health minister Alexandru Rafila with details: "This season the peak of these infections may be reached between January 15 and February 10, and please remember this interval, after which there will be a decrease in the number of respiratory infections, including flu. Of course, this particular situation in 2023 is rather due to the situation of 2021 - 2022, when the circulation of these viruses was much more reduced and, as a result, the population has a reduced immunity to viruses that cause respiratory infections, including influenza. The duration of the infection is usually between two and four weeks".

Against this background of sanitary recommendations, children will return to school after the winter holidays on Monday. There is no question of closing educational institutions, as happened during the pandemic, said the Education Minister, Ligia Deca: "We believe that, after two years of pandemic, it is very important to keep the pace and have a high rate of participation in classes. There are several recommended measures, first of all the daily triage, both by families, at home, and at school or kindergarten when students arrive. So, the obvious symptoms will be detected and parents or legal guardians should be informed. We recommend the teaching staff to wear protective masks and students as well".

The Education Minister emphasized that it is important to comply with hygiene measures, the periodic disinfection of hands and surfaces and, last but not least, the periodic ventilation of rooms. If the number of sick children increases in a class, the activity can be interrupted in that class, according to the usual rules. (LS)