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Flu overtakes Covid in Hungary: Hospitalisations spike among children and elderly
Influenza has become the leading cause of hospital admissions in Hungary for the first time in the 2025/2026 respiratory infection season, overtaking Covid-19, according to the latest data from the National Centre for Public Health and Pharmacy (NNGYK).
During the 51st week of the year (22–28 December), influenza accounted for a higher share of severe respiratory hospitalisations than coronavirus, marking a notable shift in the country’s epidemic landscape as the winter season intensifies.
Record levels of influenza-like illness
According to Portfolio’s report, health authorities reported that 250,500 people sought medical help with acute respiratory infection (ARI) symptoms during the week, a slight increase compared to the previous period. However, the number of patients presenting with influenza-like illness (ILI) rose sharply: 46,300 people visited their GP with flu-type symptoms, representing a week-on-week increase of more than 20%.
According to surveillance data, the number of influenza-like cases per 100,000 inhabitants is now the highest recorded in Hungary since monitoring began in the 2011/2012 season. Experts believe this unusually early surge may be linked to the appearance of a new strain of influenza A, which has already been identified in the country.
Children most affected by respiratory infections
Children continue to be the most affected age group. Nearly half of all patients seeking medical care for acute respiratory infections were under the age of 14, amounting to more than 115,000 children nationwide. Among those with influenza-like symptoms, over 36% were also in this age group, followed closely by young adults aged 15–34.
Health experts note that this pattern mirrors previous seasons, where influenza spread rapidly among children early on before affecting older age groups more significantly later in the winter.
Hospital admissions on the rise
Hospitalisation figures have raised concerns. In the 51st week, 167 patients were admitted with severe acute respiratory infections (SARI), the highest weekly figure recorded so far this season, 24.hu writes. Ten of these patients required intensive or sub-intensive care.
For the first time this winter, influenza was responsible for more hospital admissions than Covid-19. While only around 9% of hospitalised SARI patients tested positive for coronavirus, more than 32% were linked to influenza infections. Health authorities warn that although the newly detected influenza strain does not appear to cause more severe illness overall, the growing pressure on hospitals is a clear warning sign.
Older adults remain vulnerable, with more than 40% of SARI patients aged over 60. At the same time, very young children are also heavily affected: more than a quarter of hospitalised patients were under the age of two.
Positivity rates show shifting trends
Laboratory testing confirms the changing balance between respiratory viruses. Covid-19 positivity rates continued to fall, dropping to 13%, while influenza positivity climbed to 23.4%, broadly in line with seasonal expectations.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has also been detected, though its positivity rate remains relatively low so far. Based on current trends, experts expect RSV to remain below previous peak levels seen in earlier seasons, though they caution that forecasting remains difficult due to irregular patterns in recent years.
Authorities rule out nationwide restrictions
Chief Medical Officer Orsolya Surján has stressed that the current epidemic situation does not justify the introduction of uniform, nationwide restrictions. Instead, county-level authorities retain the power to decide on necessary epidemiological measures within healthcare institutions.
She also expressed hope that school holidays and reduced social contact during the festive period could help slow transmission. However, analysts warn that any apparent decline in case numbers during the holidays may be misleading, as fewer people tend to seek medical care at this time of year.
Historically, Hungary’s respiratory infection season peaks between late January and late February, meaning the worst may still be ahead.
Hepatitis A infections continue to climb
Alongside the influenza surge, health officials are also monitoring a significant rise in hepatitis A cases. By the 50th week of the year, the number of confirmed infections had reached 1,978 — the highest level recorded since at least 2017.
Budapest has reported the highest number of cases, followed by Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Pest, Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg and Bács-Kiskun counties. Experts note that while the spread has slowed in the capital, infection rates have risen faster in regions with poorer sanitation infrastructure, reflecting long-standing regional vulnerabilities.
A challenging winter ahead
Taken together, the data suggest that Hungary is entering a demanding phase of the respiratory infection season. While Covid-19 is no longer the dominant driver of hospitalisations, influenza has taken its place far earlier than usual.
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hear me fellow Hungarians . there is a fungas that is named pnemonia and it can be cured by the simple use of Tea Tree oil . 10-15 drops in 30 ml of hot water in a spray bottle . shake vigourusly and spray into your face and breathe it in. It will destroy the fungas . Put it into all air filters . Visitors are bringing in viruses . spray them as well as its contageous by air/vapour coughing . Use vinegar for all mold and mildew as it will detroy it on contact ,not bleach . hepatits is a blood issue , cyenne pepper and all red fruits especially beets . Then use boil up clove,lemon, cinnoman , papaya eat the seeds whole, ginger and honey all in one tea and eat pumpkin seeds on an empty stomach first to kill all the worms in all areas of the body 15 days on 5 days off for 3 sets of 15 and you will succeed in detroying common worms and parasite problems in the human and animal bodies . I pray that God protect all the children of God .Peace be with us all .
Hepatitis A is contagious ,so sitting on a toilet seat where there is human poop remaining from someone who has the Hep A worm is a dreadful mistake . First clean all public toilets . Dirty humans cause this problem . Door handles and anything that a person with poop on thier butt or hands can tranfer the worm . Covid is bullshit .Its a human poop issue . Dirty lazy humans not washing up with soap and water . Poppyseeds and Ivermection can help with this . Destroy the worms . Watch out for publics bathrooms not being cleaned . Wash up your children . The poop worm can get into foods as well , Dirty cooks not washing their hands . Cleanliness is Godliness .
It’s almost as if the flu and the Chinese virus are pretty much the same thing.