Malta sees upward trend in influenza-like illness as flu season begins

Malta is seeing an upward trend in influenza-like illness as flu season begins, a health ministry spokesperson has said.

But the spokesperson also clarified activity remains broadly comparable with levels recorded at the same time in previous seasons.

“No increase in hospital admissions has been observed at Mater Dei Hospital so far,” he said.

The latest assessment by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) shows influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity remain low across the EU and European Economic Area (EEA).

COVID-19 circulation is increasing in Europe, but its impact on hospitalisations remains limited, according to the assessment.

The health ministry said respiratory viruses would continue to be monitored closely during the autumn and winter months, with particular attention to influenza, COVID-19 and RSV.

In Malta, respiratory illness in the community is monitored through sentinel surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI), which tracks weekly trends and allows health authorities to compare current activity with previous respiratory seasons.