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Cyprus could still experience another rise in influenza cases, according to Dr. Petros Karayiannis, Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Virology at the University of Nicosia Medical School.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency on Sunday, Karayiannis said that although the current epidemiological situation appears steady, the ongoing number of infections means there is no room for complacency.
He explained that flu cases continue to be detected regularly, but there has not been a major outbreak severe enough to overwhelm hospitals. Even so, he noted that health authorities have already pointed out growing strain on the healthcare system, largely because patients with different respiratory infections must be separated into different hospital wards.
Karayiannis said it remains unclear whether Cyprus will see a distinct “second wave” with a sharp increase in cases, or whether the current viruses circulating will overlap and blend into one prolonged period of illness. He described the coming weeks as uncertain.
At present, influenza A is the dominant virus type in circulation, with a newer K sub-strain now appearing most frequently. Karayiannis stressed that this strain is new, meaning the population has little natural immunity against it, unlike older influenza A variants.
He also highlighted a concerning rise in RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) infections among elderly people. This trend is unusual, he said, since RSV typically affects young children and tends to peak earlier in the winter, around late December.
Despite the lack of immunity to the K sub-strain, he emphasized that existing immunity from past exposure to other flu strains, combined with vaccination, still provides meaningful protection.
Karayiannis said this year’s flu vaccine targets two influenza A strains and one influenza B strain. While vaccination may not fully prevent infection, it significantly lowers the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
He added that people still have time to get vaccinated, noting that it takes about two weeks after the shot for immunity to fully develop. With mid-February underway and some European scientists predicting flu activity could extend into March, vaccination could still be beneficial.
Citing figures from the United States and the United Kingdom, he said this season’s flu vaccine appears to provide up to 50% protection, compared with the typical average of around 65% in many years.
In terms of symptoms, Karayiannis said no major differences are expected compared to the earlier wave, although young children may also experience stomach-related issues.
He noted that the most serious complications continue to occur mainly among older adults and other vulnerable groups. While influenza-related deaths in Cyprus remain relatively low, he said fatalities have increased this year. In Greece, by comparison, weekly flu deaths reportedly reach 20 to 25.
Turning to COVID-19, he said the virus continues to rise and fall throughout the year because it does not follow a strict seasonal pattern.
He concluded by stressing that flu and COVID-19 are difficult to tell apart based on symptoms alone, and that laboratory testing is the only reliable way to distinguish between them.
