First Flu Fatality: 88-Year-Old Woman from Cluj. Epidemiological Alert in Romania

The 2024–2025 flu season has claimed its first victim in Romania: an 88-year-old woman from Cluj County who had not been vaccinated against influenza and suffered from a number of chronic conditions. The case, officially confirmed by the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), highlights the particular vulnerability of elderly people to this respiratory infection.

The epidemiological situation has deteriorated sharply in recent weeks, with health authorities declaring a national epidemiological alert. In the period 15–21 December, Romania recorded 11,174 clinical flu cases — almost double the figure from the previous week. This exponential rise places the country in a worrying position from a public health standpoint.

Specialists at INSP stress that this situation is the result of three consecutive weeks of high influenza activity, exceeding the averages recorded in previous seasons. The widespread geographical reach of influenza viruses now covers the entire country, with the worst-affected areas being Bucharest and the counties of Cluj, Botoșani, Bihor, Iași, and Neamț.

Total respiratory infections — including clinical flu, acute upper respiratory tract infections, and pneumonia — reached 102,655 cases in the last monitored week. This figure represents a 3.7% increase on the previous week and 15.2% more cases compared with the same period in the previous season.

For elderly people and their families, these figures are particularly alarming. Older adults represent the group at greatest risk of severe complications and death from influenza infection, especially those with comorbidities. The absence of vaccination, as was the case with the 88-year-old woman from Cluj, significantly amplifies these risks.

A comparison with historical data underlines the gravity of the current situation: the number of clinical flu cases is six times higher than the average for the past five seasons and five times greater than the figures recorded during the same period last year. This rapid escalation is placing enormous pressure on the healthcare system, particularly on care services for older people.

Health authorities are strongly recommending influenza vaccination for all people aged 65 and over, as well as for those with chronic conditions regardless of age. Adherence to respiratory hygiene measures, avoiding crowded spaces, and careful monitoring of symptoms are also urged, with prompt medical attention advised should fever, cough, or muscle aches develop.

Care homes and residential care centres must intensify their infection prevention and control protocols, implementing strict screening measures for visitors and staff, as well as the swift isolation of suspected cases, in order to protect this extremely vulnerable population.