Flu, acute respiratory viruses down in Armenia – doctor

The incidence of flu and acute respiratory viruses is lower in Armenia compared to last year, according to a doctor.

“We had two to three cases within a week, which is 1.15 times less than last year,” the head of the Healthcare Ministry’s Hygiene and Anti-Epidemic Inspection, Lilit Avetisyan, told a news conference on Monday.

“We conduct a weekly monitoring, following the seasonal dynamics,” she said.

The specialist noted that the seasonal flu commonly occurs in children aged 0-14.


“The younger ones are commonly more sensitive to the seasonal flu. That’s due to the immune system, with the percentage being lower among the adults,” she added.

Noting that sick persons are predominantly responsible for the spread of the disease, the doctor said it is important for those who have caught the flu to avoid going out until the disease is overcome.

“To prevent the seasonal flu, a sick person has to first of all avoid going to work or public places not to allow the transmission of the disease to healthy people. Managers have to see to it that an employee doesn’t go to work when he or she is ill,” she added.

Avetisyan said that patients having have now started to more frequently visit doctors, preferring professional assistance to self-treatment.

“If a person has been taken ill with an acute respiratory virus, e.g. headache, muscle ache, high temperature and cold in the head, it is necessary by all means to turn to a doctor,” said the specialist.