MOSCOW, Oct 15, 2022 (BSS /TASS) - The first flu virus of type A (H3N2) case

has been registered in Russia on the threshold of a new stage of epidemic
rise of incidence, Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer
Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) head Anna Popova
announced at a meeting of the department's board.

"Last week the first H3N2 flu virus was detected, the case disease brought to
Russia from Egypt. So far, there are no other flu viruses in Russia.
Therefore, we have time to work thoroughly on a plan of action," the press
service of Rospotrebnadzor quoted Popova as saying on Saturday.

When speaking about the current epidemic situation, Popova noted that the
country was on the eve of a new stage of the morbidity rise, through the
situation for all respiratory infections circulating in Russia at the moment
remained quite stable.

As the reports noted, influenza activity from October 2021 to May 2022 was
significantly higher than in the previous season, but lower than the pre-
pandemic period. "At the same time, the past season was characterized by the
predominance of influenza A viruses, while the proportion of influenza B
viruses remained small. The board stated that COVID-19 entered the
circulation of the group of respiratory infections, disturbing the
seasonality of the epidemic process of influenza and acute respiratory viral
infections," the report said.

Popova also noted that in conditions of continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2
virus, it is necessary to elaborate new methodological approaches to the
evaluation of the epidemic situation of influenza and acute respiratory viral
infections. A special working group under the Rospotrebnadzor's Scientific
Council was created for this purpose.

Rospotrebnadzor head has given instructions for improvement of tools and
methods of epidemiological surveillance of influenza and acute respiratory
viral infections, as well as updating of regulations governing supervision in
this area, the press service said.