Near East University Molecular Microbiology Laboratory Director Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buket Baddal said that 78.3 percent of the cases that applied to Near East University Hospital with complaints of upper respiratory tract infection between December 1, 2024 and January 16, 2025 were caused by Influenza A.

While the increase in upper respiratory tract infections in the winter months causes congestion in infectious diseases and pediatrics services, the prevalence of influenza A virus stands out among the main reasons for this epidemic. Analyses carried out on symptomatic patients who applied to Near East University Hospital in December and January revealed that influenza A was the most dominant viral agent, along with other viruses in circulation.

Influenza A virus was detected in 78.3 percent of the cases that applied to Near East University Hospital with complaints of upper respiratory tract infection. In addition to influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A and B types found in circulation were diagnosed at a total rate of 11.7 percent, while influenza B virus was diagnosed in 5 percent of the remaining samples, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, was diagnosed in 1.7 percent, and co-infections caused by more than one viral agent were diagnosed in 3.3 percent.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buket Baddal, Head of the Molecular Microbiology Laboratory at Near East University, who evaluated the data recorded between December 1, 2024 and January 16, 2025, said, “Out of the 138 clinical samples that reached our laboratory, 60 were detected positive and the positivity rate was found to be 43.5 percent. Among the positive samples, we found out that the most dominant agent was influenza A virus with a rate of 78.3 percent, that is, 47 samples.”

Data collection, monitoring and evaluation with PCR tests are important!

Emphasizing that it is important to analyze swab samples taken from the mouth and nose of people with clinical symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, fatigue, head, throat and joint pain with molecular PCR tests in order to determine the agent in respiratory tract infections, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buket Baddal said; “What is important is to diagnose the agents that cause the epidemic with the analysis of scientific data, epidemic monitoring and continuous surveillance system.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Baddal also mentioned that the period when the epidemic will reach its highest level can be predicted with the surveillance system, i.e. data collection, monitoring and evaluation, and drew attention to the fact that measures can be taken accordingly in health services.

Stating that respiratory tract infections are primarily transmitted by droplets, airborne or indirect contact, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buket Baddal said: “We can prevent transmission by wearing a mask in crowded and closed environments. We should use a mask in public, especially if there are flu symptoms. However, hand hygiene is also very important in addition to using a mask. We should wash our hands frequently with soap and water.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Buket Baddal, drawing attention to the importance of vaccinating risk groups in particular, stated that individuals over the age of 65, those with chronic diseases, children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years, those with diseases such as diabetes, asthma, COPD and heart failure, healthcare workers, nursery and nursing home personnel and pregnant women can be protected with the flu vaccine. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Baddal stated that the vaccination process plays a critical role in preventing severe flu cases, possible complications and flu-related deaths in these groups, and said that vaccination is usually done in September and October, but unvaccinated people can benefit from this opportunity until the end of March.