Why are so many Hungarians still getting sick? New health report explains

More than 66,000 people visited a doctor with flu-like symptoms last week in Hungary, according to the latest surveillance data published by the Nemzeti Népegészségügyi és Gyógyszerészeti Központ (National Public Health and Pharmacy Centre).

Based on reports from participating GPs, 66,800 patients sought medical care with influenza-like complaints. Although this marks a decline compared to the previous week’s figure of 76,800, the numbers remain significant.

Hundreds of thousands affected by respiratory illnesses

The wider picture shows an even greater burden on the healthcare system. Between 9 and 15 February, as many as 262,300 people consulted their doctor with symptoms of acute respiratory infections, not limited to flu.

This suggests that while classic flu cases may be falling, seasonal respiratory diseases are still spreading widely across the country.

Children most affected

Children accounted for the largest share of patients with flu-like symptoms during the seventh week of the year:

• 41.9% were children
• 29.4% were aged 15–34
• 21.4% were aged 35–59
• Only 7.3% were over 60

The figures show that younger age groups continue to be the most vulnerable to infection, particularly in community settings such as schools and nurseries.