Kazakhstan Sees Uptick in Hong Kong Flu Cases

Kazakhstan is reporting a rise in cases of the Hong Kong flu, a strain of the A H3N2 virus that poses higher risks for children and pregnant women.

Despite the increase, Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova reassured the public that the spread of infections remains within the typical seasonal pattern and does not indicate the start of a new epidemic, The Caspian Post informs via Tajik media.

In Almaty, 13 cases of the Hong Kong flu have been confirmed - most involving unvaccinated pregnant women. Astana has recorded 116 positive samples. Since the beginning of the epidemic season on September 1, Kazakhstan has registered 1,461,819 cases of acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) - a 20 per cent decrease from last year.

Children under 14 account for nearly two-thirds of all cases, with more than 963,000 infections reported. However, the past week showed a noticeable rise: 183,074 new ARVI cases, up 16 per cent compared to the same period last season.

So far this season, 590 flu cases have been confirmed, including 587 of the A H3N2 strain and several isolated cases of A H1N1. Flu activity started earlier than last year, beginning in early October. Alongside influenza, multiple other viruses are circulating, including rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, bocaviruses, coronaviruses, respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV), and metapneumoviruses.

Among schoolchildren, over 6,000 ARVI cases and 13 flu cases were reported last week - roughly 4 per cent of all infections. Some schools in Astana have temporarily banned mass events and moved certain classes online, though mask mandates have not been introduced.

Health officials continue monitoring the situation as seasonal viruses spread ahead of winter.