Influenza Hospitalizations Surpass COVID-19 in Hungary for 2025/2026 Season

Influenza Becomes Dominant Respiratory Threat

For the first time in the ongoing 2025/2026 respiratory infection season, influenza has surpassed COVID-19 as the primary cause of respiratory hospitalizations in Hungary. This shift was observed during the 51st week of 2025, spanning from December 22 to December 28, according to reports from the Hungarian health authorities.

During this period, a total of 167 people were hospitalized with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI). Of these, 15 individuals tested positive for COVID-19, representing 9.1% of SARI hospitalizations. In contrast, influenza was responsible for a significantly higher proportion, accounting for 32.3% of hospital admissions, while COVID-19 cases made up 9.0%. This marks a record high for SARI hospitalizations in the current year.

Rising Cases and Early Season Trends

The increase in influenza activity is also evident in the number of individuals presenting with influenza-like illness (ILI). In the 51st week of 2025, an estimated 46,300 people visited a doctor with ILI symptoms, marking a 20.2% jump from the preceding week. The number of people with ILI per 100,000 inhabitants has reached its highest point since 2011.

Overall, the 2025/2026 respiratory season has seen a more challenging start compared to previous years. Approximately 250,500 people sought medical attention for acute respiratory infection (ARI) symptoms during the 51st week of 2025. The number of ARI reports for this week exceeded those recorded in the same week over the past three seasons.

Contributing Factors and Public Health Response

Experts suggest that the emergence of a new type of influenza A virus may have contributed to the season's early onset, with epidemic thresholds being reached in December rather than the typical January timeframe. While the new strain does not appear to cause more severe illness in general, the rising hospitalization figures serve as a 'red flag'.

Demographically, the impact is notable across various age groups:

• Almost half of all ARI patients were children aged up to 14.
• More than one in four ILI patients also belonged to the 0-14 age group.
• Among those hospitalized with COVID-19, around 47% were over 60 years old.
• More than a quarter (26.3%) of SARI patients were children under two years old.

Public health officials continue to emphasize the importance of preventative measures, including vaccination against both influenza and COVID-19, and adherence to basic hygiene rules to mitigate the spread of respiratory viruses.