Greece is currently grappling with a surge in flu cases, a situation expected to persist until March, according to Matina Pagoni, president of the Athens-Piraeus Hospital Doctors’ Association.
Pagoni, speaking on the show “Hour Society MEGA,” emphasized the widespread prevalence of flu infections, which have significantly risen since the holiday season.
“At the moment, the flu is dominating everywhere, with viruses and infections to follow,” Pagoni stated. She attributed the increase to holiday gatherings and prolonged indoor interactions, which created a fertile ground for the virus to spread. “This will go until the end of March,” she added.
Vaccination for Vulnerable Groups
Pagoni strongly urged high-risk individuals to prioritize vaccination. “High-risk groups that have not been vaccinated, go get vaccinated. With the vaccine, it’s not that you don’t get sick; you just go through with very mild symptoms,” she explained.
The majority of flu cases admitted to hospitals are among unvaccinated, elderly patients with underlying health conditions stated Pagoni: “These cases most of them are kept in and hospitalized, they don’t leave because they have had a complication,” she noted.
The Role of H1N1 and Other Viruses
Pagoni stated that H1N1 flu cases dominate hospital admissions, and the coronavirus is currently not at outbreak levels. She also addressed concerns about metapneumovirus, which has caused alarm in Europe. “The rate [of metapneumovirus cases] is around 2% here in Greece. We do not have any particular problems. Its symptoms are like the flu—coughing, runny nose, fever, weakness, and vomiting,” she said.
Ministry of Health Addresses Student Absences
In light of the flu outbreak, the Ministry of Health has issued new guidelines regarding student absences due to seasonal viral infections. A circular released by the Ministry permits schools to justify up to five days of student absences from December 1, 2024, to April 30, 2025. Parents must provide a recent medical certificate confirming the nature and duration of the illness to qualify for these exemptions.
This policy aims to ease the burden on students and families while promoting public health during the ongoing flu season.