Influenza А (H1N1) pdm09 virus dominates in Kazakh capital this epidemiological season

Flu and acute respiratory virus infection (ARVI) cases rose by 10% compared to the same period of 2024, Kazinform News Agency quotes deputy head of the Astana sanitary and epidemiological control department Zhanna Praliyeva as saying.

For the past week starting from December 26, 2024, to January 1, 2025, the capital city recorded 4,863 ARVI cases with morbidity of 333.5 per 100,000 population. Last year the city saw 4,024 ARVI cases, 330.38 per 100,000 population.

She noted PCR testing revealed that А (H1N1) pdm09 flu dominated throughout this season. 143 samples or 18% out of all analyzed samples were positive for А (H1N1) pdm09 flu and one was positive for А (H3N2).

No COVID 19 were detected.

Rhinovirus leads in non influenza illnesses up to 13%, followed by rhinosyncytial virus up to 8%, bocavirus - 2%, human coronavirus - 3%, adenovirus - 2%, parainfluenza – 1% and metapneumovirus -1%.

Human metapneumovirus is one of the viruses that has been circulating in the population in many countries for tens of years. Its strains were also detected in Kazakhstan along with other viruses spreading during the flu and influenza peak.

It spreads like other respiratory viruses from those infected through sneezing and coughing. Its many symptoms are coughing, runny nose, fever and headache.

The department urges all to avoid crowded places, use sanitizers, avoid close contact with those infected, stay at home when sick and seek medical care.

As earlier reported, metapneumovirus strains were detected in Kazakhstan.