Flu cases in Russia continue to rise

Moscow (ANTARA) – Influenza cases in Russia continued to rise through epidemiological week 42 of 2026, according to a report issued on Tuesday (20 October) by the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor).

Rospotrebnadzor recorded more than 635,000 cases of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza and COVID-19 across Russia during epidemiological week 42 of 2026.

Non-influenza respiratory viruses were the most prevalent pathogens in circulation, accounting for 96.6 per cent of all reported infections, the agency added. Rhinoviruses made up 45.1 per cent of those viruses, while parainfluenza viruses accounted for 19.8 per cent.

An influenza vaccination campaign is under way across Russia, with more than 25.7 million people vaccinated as of 20 October.

Rospotrebnadzor recommended influenza vaccination, particularly for at-risk groups, including people prone to recurrent acute respiratory viral infections and those with chronic conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders and obesity. Young children, older people and pregnant women are also considered at risk.