Bulgaria’s Bourgas declares flu epidemic, schools go over to distance learning

An influenza epidemic declaration is to be in effect in Bourgas on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast from January 22 to 30, Radio Bourgas reported on January 19.

The decision was taken because of the high incidence and is aimed at limiting the spread of flu and acute respiratory infections in the region.

While the flu epidemic declaration is in effect, school pupils will go over to distance learning.

The city’s nurseries and kindergartens will continue to function, but with the introduction of a reinforced medical filter at the entrance to prevent ill children entering.

The restrictions include the suspension of all extracurricular activities, group activities and sports events on the territory of the municipality.

The health authorities are also introducing changes in the work of medical institutions. Scheduled surgeries, preventive examinations, immunisations and consultations for children and pregnant women are being suspended.

According to medical specialists, the highest number of infected people is registered in the age group from five to 14 years, the report said.

However, the most seriously ill are children under four years of age and people over 65 years of age, in whom complications are more often observed.

Separately, the district of Varna’s flu epidemic declaration, which took effect on January 14, is being extended to January 26.

An influenza epidemic declaration is in effect in Bulgaria’s district of Dobrich from January 19 to 25, with measures including school pupils going over to distance learning and stepped-up anti-epidemic measures in hospitals.

Health inspections report a high prevalence and increased levels of flu cases in a number of districts, including Silistra, Haskovo, Yambol, Pernik and Sofia district (not Sofia city), which are in a pre-epidemic situation with increasing infections, although an official epidemic has not been declared there so far.

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