On Thursday 2 January 2025, The Health Directorate of Luxembourg's Ministry of Health and Social Security published its weekly retrospective concerning the evolution of the main acute respiratory infections including COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), concerning week 52 from 23 to 29 December 2024.
Influenza: decrease in the number of cases
During the reporting period, the number of influenza cases reported by laboratories decreased from 758 to 546 cases, a decrease of 38% compared to the previous week, which is probably linked to the end-of-year holidays.
During this period, the typical results included 83% influenza A and 17% influenza B.
The ministry issued a reminder that it is still possible to get vaccinated to protect oneself effectively and limit the spread of the virus. Vaccination remains the most reliable way to prevent seasonal flu and reduce the risk of associated complications.
How can one better protect oneself against seasonal flu?
In addition to vaccination, it is essential to adopt barrier gestures to limit the spread of the virus:
- Wash one's hands regularly with soap and water for 30 seconds, carefully rubbing one's palms, fingers, backs of one's hands and under one's nails.
- Cover one's mouth and nose with a tissue when one coughs or sneezes. If one does not have a tissue, use the crook of one's elbow.
- Immediately throw used tissues in the bin and then wash one's hands.
- Avoid physical contact such as hugs, kisses and handshakes.
- Avoid crowds and gatherings during the epidemic season.
- Stay home if one is sick to avoid contaminating those around.
- Ventilate rooms regularly, at least three to four times a day for ten minutes.
By following these simple steps, one is helping to protect one's health and that of others.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): decrease in the number of cases
For RSV, a decrease of 45% was observed, with 188 confirmed cases, compared to 343 the previous week, which is most likely linked to the end-of-year holidays.
COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2: decrease in the number of cases
During the reporting period, the number of positive cases for SARS-CoV-2 decreased, from 110 to 55 cases, a decrease of 50% compared to the previous week, which is probably linked to the end-of-year holidays. A similar decrease was also observed in 2022 and 2023 during the end-of-year holidays.
The latest available sequencing data reveal that two subvariants of JN.1, the XEC variant (46.5%) and the KP.3 variant (40.2%), predominate in November.
