Flu cases in the Basque Country have increased by 4% in the week following the Christmas celebrations

Influenza cases in the Basque Country have increased by around 4% in the last week, as a result of the increase in Christmas contacts, and the number of people hospitalized has also increased to 217, 15 more than in the previous week.

According to data provided by the Department of Health and Osakidetza, the week from 29 December to 4 January recorded a total of 1,169 cases in theBasque Country, a slight increase after three weeks of declines.

However, the situation is more positive than it was on the same dates in previous years, since in the last campaign  2023-2024 was at this level in the last week of January, and in 2024-2025 it did not drop as much until mid-February. 

The average incidence is 721 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, 54 points higher than last week, with 830 cases in Álava, 736 in Bizkaia and 652 in Gipuzkoa.

The Department of Health says the hospital situation is "normal" and the occupancy rate is around 83%. There are 217 people admitted, 15 more than last week, but there are only four in the ICU, five fewer.

In view of the data, Osakidetza has stressed, however, that we must remain vigilant and pay attention to the evolution of the flu virus, which, although decreasing according to the general trend, may continue to increase as a result of the holidays.

The Department of Health has also stressed the importance of vaccines in preventing contagion and preventing health complications.