Iinfluenza and ARI intensity in Bulgaria was higher than medium during week No 03 (16.01.2012 - 22.01.2012) and the total incidence per 10,000 population was 128.66  (during week No 02 the incidence was 107.98  ). From a total of 380,239 persons under surveillance, belonging to all age groups, a total of  4 892 ARI cases have been reported (during week No 02 the cases were 4 106). The incidence was highest in the age group 0-4 yrs (547.82 per 10,000 population), followed by age group of 5-14 yrs (327.29 per 10,000).  Pre-epidemic incidence has been reported in 3 regions: Pazardjik (314.23), Stara Zagora(238.47) and Sofia (248.85). 

 Information from National Reference Laboratory of Influenza and Acute Respiratory Infections at NCIPD

During week No 03 totally of 29 samples from suspect patients have been investigated in the NRL of Influenza and ARD by Real Time PCR. 16 positive results were detected  for A/H3N2.