According to the minister, the circulation of the influenza virus was detected in the 41st week, that is, at the beginning of October, which happened earlier than in the previous epidemic season. No new strains of influenza that had not been previously observed in Kazakhstan have been identified. All patients with symptoms of ARVI and influenza are being tested for other viruses. The circulation of rhinovirus, parainfluenza, adenovirus, bocavirus, coronavirus, RSV, and metapneumovirus is noted in the republic.
Since the beginning of September, 1.4 million cases of ARVI have been registered in the country, which is 20% less compared to the same period of the previous epidemic season. Among all the infected, children under 14 years old account for 66%.
In addition, a strain of Hong Kong influenza has been recorded in Kazakhstan, which poses a particular threat to pregnant women and children. According to the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the Ministry of Health, nearly 600 cases of infection with this strain have been registered in the country since the beginning of the autumn-winter season.
Due to mass cases of illness among students, it was decided to switch students in the East Kazakhstan, Abai, and Kostanay regions to distance learning. In the East Kazakhstan region, 3,015 students from 169 classes in 23 general education schools will temporarily study from home. This decision was made as more than 30% of students in these classes are absent due to health reasons.
In the Abai region, following a meeting of the headquarters on the epidemiological situation, it was also decided to switch some students to distance learning. The head of the regional health department, Talgat Moldabekov, reported that since the beginning of the school year, 5,558 students have fallen ill with ARVI, which accounts for 17.2% of the total number of cases. There have been 25 cases of influenza registered in the region.
“The transition to a mixed format of education will be implemented in educational institutions when ARVI is registered in 20-30% of students in one class,” the press release states, however, the exact number of classes switched to distance learning is not specified.
In two settlements of the Kostanay region, a distance learning regime has also been introduced for schoolchildren due to illnesses among students. In the Kostanay district, classes have been canceled in 72 classes.
Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov urged the Ministry of Health and akimats to pay special attention to the quality control of medical care.
“We are observing the beginning of the viral disease season. I instruct the Ministry of Health, together with the akimats, to monitor the quality of medical services for citizens seeking help,” he noted.
Bektenov also emphasized the importance of being ready to deploy additional beds in hospitals and organize the work of mobile outreach teams if necessary.
