Tetovo records most flu cases as country remains below seasonal threshold

The number of reported influenza and influenza-like illnesses in North Macedonia nearly doubled in one week, rising from 61 to 116 cases, the Institute of Public Health reported for the monitoring period from October 26 to November 1. This represents a week-on-week increase of 90.2 percent.

Concentrated rise in Tetovo and Kumanovo

Tetovo recorded the largest share of notifications with 48 cases, followed by Kumanovo with 26 and Skopje with 13. Prilep and Gostivar each reported seven cases. The surge in Tetovo is particularly notable because the city had only four reported cases in the previous week.

Combined, Tetovo and Kumanovo account for nearly 64 percent of all reported influenza-like illnesses nationwide. Age breakdown shows most patients — 84 in total — are between 15 and 64 years old; 25 cases involve people older than 65, and seven cases were reported among children aged five to 14.

Laboratory testing confirms influenza virus is circulating. Of 47 samples examined by the Institute, four were positive for influenza A: three were unsubtyped and one was identified as A(H1)pdm09. In addition, one sample tested positive for SARS‑CoV‑2. The 116 reported cases, however, are not all laboratory-confirmed influenza; the weekly surveillance includes clinically diagnosed influenza-like illness.

The notified incidence stands at 6.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, below the threshold for seasonal activity, which is 7.32 cases per 100,000. According to the Institute, this means the seasonal wave has not officially started.

Photo: press material from the event