Romania recorded 20 confirmed deaths from the flu virus in a single week, according to data provided by the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) for the period of January 12-18, 2026.
The total number of deaths caused by the flu since the beginning of the season has now reached 40.
According to INSP, the 40 deaths were predominantly among people over 65 years old, with 33 cases in this age group. Four other deaths were reported in individuals aged between 50 and 64, two in the 15-49 age group, and one case in a child aged between 5 and 14.
Regarding the types of flu virus identified, most deaths were associated with influenza type A, subtype H3, followed by subtype H1 and unsubtyped forms.
Nearly 100,000 respiratory infections in one week
During the same period, 96,582 cases of respiratory infections - including clinical flu, acute upper respiratory tract infections, and pneumonia - were reported.
This number is over 30% higher than the previous week, although it remains below the level recorded in the same period of the previous season.
There were 6,287 cases of clinical flu reported nationwide, with the highest numbers in Bucharest and the counties of Prahova, Cluj, and Constanța. All counties reported flu cases.
By January 18, 2026, over 1.28 million flu vaccinations were registered in the National Electronic Vaccination Registry, the majority among those eligible for compensation.
Experts emphasize that vaccination reduces the risk of severe forms and deaths, especially among the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.