VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Respiratory infections are increasing in Malta this summer, but health authorities say levels remain well below the winter peak and there is no cause for alarm.
The rise comes as videos about so-called “Malta flu” spread on TikTok, with tourists posting about falling ill during or after holidays on the island.
Posts using hashtags including #maltaflu and #maltasickness show travellers going from nights out and beach days to being confined to bed, with some warning others to “stay safe out there”.
However, Superintendent of Public Health Charmaine Gauci said there was no evidence of an unusual outbreak.
Health surveillance has detected a modest increase in influenza, COVID-19, rhinovirus and other respiratory infections, but the data does not indicate an unusual or severe public health threat, Gauci said.
The Health Ministry said influenza-like illnesses began increasing at the end of May, with a further rise since July.
Confirmed influenza cases rose from six in the week of July 13-19 to 34 between July 27 and August 2. This compares with a winter peak of 275 weekly detections.
COVID-19 cases also increased modestly, rising from six confirmed cases in the week of July 6-12 to 18 two weeks later, before falling to 16 by August 2.
Surveillance has also recorded increases in human rhinovirus, a common cause of the common cold, and Streptococcus pneumoniae detections.
Authorities said they would continue monitoring respiratory virus trends and issue updates if the public health risk changes.
– Photo Net News –
(ITALPRESS).
